Occupational experiences and contexts related to well-being among the community-dwelling oldest-old people

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore occupational experiences related to the well-being among the community-dwelling oldest-old people, including the contexts in which their occupations were engaged. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with six participants aged 85 or older, residing in city A in northern Japan. The collected data was analyzed by applying the Steps for Coding and Theorization(SCAT)method. The results suggested that the participants perceived well-being through their occupational experiences such as being able to maintain their physical and mental state, a sense of continuing relationships with others, and a sense of self- identity, while the aging process was experienced as a threat to the continuation of occupational participations and identity. Moreover, the participants chose to engage in occupations of a reasonable manner in order to continue those occupations. It was also found that they experienced their well-being by creating an occupational pattern allowing them to naturally continue their necessary occupations, while flexible responding to their needs of the moment.