The Impact of Power Differentials on the Care Experiences of Older People

Abstract

This study explored the lived experience of a small group of older people living in South East Queensland receiving community-based care while living in their own homes. In-depth unstructured interviews were used in this interpretive hermeneutic phenomenological study to encourage participants to raise experiences that held meaning for them as individuals. Many reported a range of experiences demonstrating active power differentials between themselves as recipients of care and their carers, and impacting on their sense of independence and autonomy. The experiences described provide guidance on how care services might better address the needs of older people, from their own perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• aged care
• elder abuse
• interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology
• ageism
• power differentials
• Australia

Notes

1. The study was conducted in fulfilment of a doctorate at the Queensland University of Technology.

2. Note that the names given to participants are not their real names but have been changed to protect their confidentiality.