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'Normality in all the abnormality' : Older adults' experiences of holidays and celebrations from the COVID-19 pandemic

Granbom, Marianne LU orcid ; Jonsson, Oskar LU ; Carlsson, Gunilla LU ; Fristedt, Sofi LU ; Stormstege, Elin ; Martinsson, Elvira and Kylén, Maya LU orcid (2024) In Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The importance of holidays, traditions, and family celebrations to human culture and occupational engagement has been neglected. The aim of this study was to explore how older adults experienced holidays and celebrations with social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A secondary analysis was made on data from the At-Risk Study. Seventeen community-living adults (11 women and 6 men) aged 71-87 years, from Sweden participated. They were interviewed remotely four times during the first year of the pandemic. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. No consumer/community involvement occurred.

FINDINGS: Three categories on how the participants hoped for, planned, decided,... (More)

INTRODUCTION: The importance of holidays, traditions, and family celebrations to human culture and occupational engagement has been neglected. The aim of this study was to explore how older adults experienced holidays and celebrations with social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A secondary analysis was made on data from the At-Risk Study. Seventeen community-living adults (11 women and 6 men) aged 71-87 years, from Sweden participated. They were interviewed remotely four times during the first year of the pandemic. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. No consumer/community involvement occurred.

FINDINGS: Three categories on how the participants hoped for, planned, decided, adapted, avoided, and experienced holidays and celebrations with social and physical distancing included expectations and preparations in unpredictable times; the constant need for re-evaluation; and almost everything turned out differently.

CONCLUSIONS: The desire to celebrate despite pandemic restrictions shows the importance and meaning holidays hold for older adults. Celebrations can be disrupted for many reasons, not only as extreme as the ongoing pandemic. For wellbeing in later life health care, social care, and society need to understand the inherent components and acknowledge ways of supporting participation in occasional events such as holidays, traditions, and family celebrations.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Christmas, decision-making, family celebrations, lockdown, Occupational disruption, restrictions, traditions
in
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
pages
13 pages
publisher
Australian Association of occupational therapists
external identifiers
  • scopus:85192088674
  • pmid:38689423
ISSN
1440-1630
DOI
10.1111/1440-1630.12949
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
164cc110-122d-4be9-87a9-bce3ebd66530
date added to LUP
2024-05-07 08:37:46
date last changed
2024-05-16 12:12:36
@article{164cc110-122d-4be9-87a9-bce3ebd66530,
  abstract     = {{<p>INTRODUCTION: The importance of holidays, traditions, and family celebrations to human culture and occupational engagement has been neglected. The aim of this study was to explore how older adults experienced holidays and celebrations with social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>METHODS: A secondary analysis was made on data from the At-Risk Study. Seventeen community-living adults (11 women and 6 men) aged 71-87 years, from Sweden participated. They were interviewed remotely four times during the first year of the pandemic. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. No consumer/community involvement occurred.</p><p>FINDINGS: Three categories on how the participants hoped for, planned, decided, adapted, avoided, and experienced holidays and celebrations with social and physical distancing included expectations and preparations in unpredictable times; the constant need for re-evaluation; and almost everything turned out differently.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: The desire to celebrate despite pandemic restrictions shows the importance and meaning holidays hold for older adults. Celebrations can be disrupted for many reasons, not only as extreme as the ongoing pandemic. For wellbeing in later life health care, social care, and society need to understand the inherent components and acknowledge ways of supporting participation in occasional events such as holidays, traditions, and family celebrations.</p>}},
  author       = {{Granbom, Marianne and Jonsson, Oskar and Carlsson, Gunilla and Fristedt, Sofi and Stormstege, Elin and Martinsson, Elvira and Kylén, Maya}},
  issn         = {{1440-1630}},
  keywords     = {{Christmas; decision-making; family celebrations; lockdown; Occupational disruption; restrictions; traditions}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  publisher    = {{Australian Association of occupational therapists}},
  series       = {{Australian Occupational Therapy Journal}},
  title        = {{'Normality in all the abnormality' : Older adults' experiences of holidays and celebrations from the COVID-19 pandemic}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12949}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/1440-1630.12949}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}