The importance of a daily rhythm in a supportive environment – promoting ability in activities in everyday life among older women living alone with chronic pain

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how older women living alone with chronic musculoskeletal pain, describe their ability in performing activities in everyday life and what could promote their ability in activities in everyday life as well as their perceived meaning of a changed ability to perform activities in everyday life. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 women, and an inductive content analysis was used. Results: The results showed the importance of a daily rhythm of activities. Activities included in the daily rhythm were socializing with family and friends, physical activities, doing own activities as well as activities supported by relatives and the community. The activities described by the women also promoted their ability in activities in everyday life. Other findings were the women’s perceived meaning of being independent and maintaining that independency, along with the meaning of accepting and adapting to a changed life situation. Conclusion: This paper concludes that it is important to be sensitive of individual needs regarding the daily rhythm of activities when health-care professionals intervene in the activities in everyday life of older women living alone, promote the women’s independency, and enable them to participate in the community.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• A daily rhythm of activities is important for older women who live alone with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

• The importance of health-care professionals being sensitive to individual needs to promote ability in activities in everyday life and to encourage the everyday activities into a daily rhythm.

• Facilitate the women’s desire and will of independency, despite their needs of help from their environment to manage their everyday life.

• Activities in everyday life
• daily rhythm
• elderly
• musculoskeletal
• pain
• women

Acknowledgements

S. Cederbom was involved in the study design, data collection, analyses and manuscript preparation. P. von Heideken Wågert was involved with study design, analyses and critical revision of the manuscript. A. Söderlund was involved in study design, analyses and critical revision of the manuscript. M. Söderbäck was involved in study design, analyses, critical revision of the manuscript and manuscript preparation. We sincerely thank all the women who participated in the interviews.