
%0 Journal Article
%A Wikström, Britt-Maj 
%T Congregate Housing for Old People: The Importance of the Physical Environment
%J Australian Journal of Primary Health
%D 2007/12/01
%V 13
%N 3
%P 85-90
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/PY07042
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/PY07042 
%X In Sweden, congregate housing units for elderly people are in a dynamic transition. Reforms emphasise the right of continued integrity and respect when an older person needs service and support in their daily life. With older people's experiences of living in a congregate housing unit, important qualities of the physical environment and of practices and ideology of nursing were examined. Using a random selection from 30 congregate housing units, 59 residents were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were taped and analysed qualitatively. The results showed that residents regarded security and a flat of their own as unconditionally the most important features of a congregate housing unit. Security was provided by health professionals, nurses and nurses' assistants. An important aspect of the outdoor environment expressed by the elderly residents was to have access to a green spot and benches to rest on. 
