Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge

Background This study aims to investigate the lived experience of well-being among older patients and their relatives in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge. Research has shown that the transition brings severe challenges to their everyday lives. However, to date, there has be...

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Main Authors: Aline Dragosits, Bente Martinsen, Ann Hemingway, Annelise Norlyk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2300154
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author Aline Dragosits
Bente Martinsen
Ann Hemingway
Annelise Norlyk
author_facet Aline Dragosits
Bente Martinsen
Ann Hemingway
Annelise Norlyk
author_sort Aline Dragosits
collection DOAJ
description Background This study aims to investigate the lived experience of well-being among older patients and their relatives in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge. Research has shown that the transition brings severe challenges to their everyday lives. However, to date, there has been a lack of research focusing on the lived experiences of well-being during this process. Methods The data collection and analysis followed the phenomenological approach of Reflective Lifeworld Research. Ten in-depth interviews with older patients and their relatives were conducted in Austria up to 2–5 days after hospital discharge. Results The essential meaning of the phenomenon of well-being in the transition from hospital to home is marked by security and confidence to face the challenges following the discharge. Four constituents emerged: being calm and in alignment with the homecoming, being in familiar surroundings at home—a sense of belonging, striving towards independence—continuity of life and having faith in the future. Conclusion Our findings point to the importance of recognizing the vulnerability associated with the transition from hospital to home, as it impacts the existential aspects of space and time. Facilitating a sense of continuity and belonging can foster well-being during this critical period.
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series International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
spelling doaj-art-feb5b00a9a224454aa92c5ca1172a3fd2025-08-20T01:55:38ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312024-12-0119110.1080/17482631.2023.23001542300154Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early dischargeAline Dragosits0Bente Martinsen1Ann Hemingway2Annelise Norlyk3Aarhus UniversityRoskilde UniversityBournemouth UniversityAarhus UniversityBackground This study aims to investigate the lived experience of well-being among older patients and their relatives in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge. Research has shown that the transition brings severe challenges to their everyday lives. However, to date, there has been a lack of research focusing on the lived experiences of well-being during this process. Methods The data collection and analysis followed the phenomenological approach of Reflective Lifeworld Research. Ten in-depth interviews with older patients and their relatives were conducted in Austria up to 2–5 days after hospital discharge. Results The essential meaning of the phenomenon of well-being in the transition from hospital to home is marked by security and confidence to face the challenges following the discharge. Four constituents emerged: being calm and in alignment with the homecoming, being in familiar surroundings at home—a sense of belonging, striving towards independence—continuity of life and having faith in the future. Conclusion Our findings point to the importance of recognizing the vulnerability associated with the transition from hospital to home, as it impacts the existential aspects of space and time. Facilitating a sense of continuity and belonging can foster well-being during this critical period.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2300154older patientsrelativeswell-beingtransitionreflective lifeworld researchphenomenology
spellingShingle Aline Dragosits
Bente Martinsen
Ann Hemingway
Annelise Norlyk
Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
older patients
relatives
well-being
transition
reflective lifeworld research
phenomenology
title Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
title_full Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
title_fullStr Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
title_full_unstemmed Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
title_short Coming home: older patients’ and their relatives’ experiences of well-being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
title_sort coming home older patients and their relatives experiences of well being in the transition from hospital to home after early discharge
topic older patients
relatives
well-being
transition
reflective lifeworld research
phenomenology
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2300154
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AT annhemingway cominghomeolderpatientsandtheirrelativesexperiencesofwellbeinginthetransitionfromhospitaltohomeafterearlydischarge
AT annelisenorlyk cominghomeolderpatientsandtheirrelativesexperiencesofwellbeinginthetransitionfromhospitaltohomeafterearlydischarge