Occupational perspective of health among persons ageing in the context of migration

Abstract

In the context of migration, ageing is described as a negative stressor for subjective perceptions of health in everyday life. Most research has adopted a biomedical perspective. An occupational perspective of health was the starting point for this study. The aim was to explore how older persons from Finland who are ageing in Sweden experienced health from an occupational perspective. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 persons who had migrated from Finland to Sweden as labour immigrants several decades ago. The interviews were analysed and interpreted using a hermeneutic approach. Participants experienced health when they managed their daily life occupations. Health was also reinforced through affiliation with others who shared similar life situations. A key health resource was maintaining a sense of dual belonging to the country of birth and to the host country. The present study revealed that the experience of health could be seen as a continuum in time and place, which creates a sense of belonging and continuity in life. Connections between health and doing, being and becoming are fundamental aspects to consider when enabling health in everyday life among older persons ageing in the context of migration.