The Importance of Personal Possessions for the Development of a Sense of Home of Nursing Home Residents

J. van HoofFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Allied Health Professions, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsCorrespondence[email protected]

M. L. JanssenFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

C. M. C. HeesakkersFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

W. van KersbergenFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

L. E. J. SeverijnsFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

L. A. G. WillemsFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

H. R. MarstonGerman Sport University Cologne, Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, Cologne, Germany

B. M. JanssenFontys University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Section of Applied Gerontology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

M. E. NieboerFontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT—Centre for Healthcare and Technology, Institute of Allied Health Professions, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

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ABSTRACT

Personal possessions of nursing home residents can contribute to their sense of home. This study investigated which of the personal belongings were considered most important, and if these items indeed contributed to a sense of home. A qualitative research was conducted with 27 nursing home residents. Photographs, paintings, and pieces of furniture are objects with sentimental value. The television set is valued for its practical function. Residents of larger rooms have more flexibility in bringing along personal items, including pieces of furniture. The results of this study can be used for the design of nursing homes or for making informed choices during the process of institutionalization.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank all participants of the sessions and interviews for their willingness to share their views. We are also grateful to the hosting care organizations (Vitalis Peppelrode in Eindhoven, Savant Zorg Sonnehove in Someren, Behandelcentrum de Hazelaar in Tilburg, Savant Zorg Hof van Bethanië in Mierlo, and Thebe De Hillen in Breda) and to the coordinators for facilitating the research.

Funding

We thank the province of Noord-Brabant (Algemene Subsidieverordening Noord-Brabant, Grant “Samen Slim in Zorg,” as part of the Activiteitenplan Brabant Medical School, 2013) and Stichting Promotie Installatietechniek for their financial support.

The Importance of Personal Possessions for the Development of a Sense of Home of Nursing Home Residents

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The Importance of Personal Possessions for the Development of a Sense of Home of Nursing Home Residents

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