Engagement of activities and experience of senior adults transitioning into nursing homes in Singapore

ABSTRACT The study investigated the time use of senior adults transitioning into a nursing home, and the current practices or strategies adopted by these senior adults during their transition into a nursing home. Twenty-one senior adults transitioning into a nursing home were recruited through purposive sampling and observed for 16 hours over 2 days. Selected senior adults were further invited for an individual, semi-structured interview to understand their lived experience of transitioning into a nursing home. Study participants were observed to be leading an inactive routine during their transition into a nursing home. Of the seven themes that evolved from the semi-structured interviews, three themes described the barriers that hindered a positive transition and four themes described the facilitators that promoted a positive transition into a nursing home. Transition into a nursing home is a complex process. Engagement in meaningful activities and promoting psychological well-being should be encouraged during the transition into a nursing home.