Dignity and respect: facilitating meaningful occupation for SeSotho elders

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Therapy
• Sociology

Background:

• Modernization and urbanization impact frail adults in residential care.
• Vulnerable elders often lack meaningful engagement in care environments.
• SeSotho elders face unique challenges in South African residential care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore culturally relevant experiences for SeSotho elders in residential care.
• To identify factors facilitating meaningful engagement for indigenous South African elders.
• To advocate for occupational justice within elder care.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of 15 collaborators' opinions.
• Secondary scrutiny of data from a nominal group process.
• Qualitative analysis of individual experiences.

Main Results:

• Elders reported loneliness, helplessness, and boredom stemming from occupational injustice.
• Co-occupations, staff training, and environmental adaptations were identified as beneficial.
• Interdependence in activities can foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

Conclusions:

• Meaningful, culturally appropriate activities uphold elder dignity and respect.
• Occupational therapists should facilitate culturally relevant occupational participation.
• Supporting 'doing, belonging, and becoming' is crucial for elders in residential care.