title: Increasing the qualitative understanding of optimal functionality in older adults: a focus group based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased independence and loss of functional ability are issues regarded as inevitably connected to old age. This ageism may have negative influences on older adults' beliefs about aging, making it difficult for them to focus on their current ability to maintain a good health. It is therefore important to change focus towards promoting Optimal Functionality (OF). OF is a concept putting the older adult's perspective on health and function in focus, however, the concept is still under development. Hence, the aim was to extend the concept of optimal functionality in various groups of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study was conducted based on focus group discussions (FGD). In total 6 FGDs were performed, including 37 older adults from three different groups: group 1) senior athletes, group 2) free living older adults, group 3) older adults living in senior living homes. All data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed following the process of deductive content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The principal outcome of the analysis was "to function as optimally as you possibly can", which was perceived as the core of the concept. Further, the concept of OF was described as multifactorial and several new factors could be added to the original model of OF. Additionally the findings of the study support that all three cornerstones comprising OF have to occur simultaneously in order for the older adult to function as optimal as possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OF is a multifaceted and subjective concept, which should be individually defined by the older adult. This study further makes evident that older adults as a group are heterogeneous in terms of their preferences and views on health and should thus be approached as such in the health care setting. Therefore it is important to promote an individualized approach as a base when caring for older adults.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden. samal.algilani@oru.se.
authors.forename: Samal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Algilani
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.|Nutrition Gut Brain Interactions Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Östlund-Lagerström
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.|Nutrition Gut Brain Interactions Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schoultz
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.|Nutrition Gut Brain Interactions Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Brummer
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, S-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kihlgren
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Focus group discussions; Older adults; Optimal functionality; Person Centered Care