Re-designing the experience of transition into nursing homes: A Singapore study

Transition of senior adults from community into nursing homes (NH) is a challenging event for both the senior adults and their family. Even with the introduction of new service models, studies continued to advocate that the navigation of services should remain simple and streamlined. In relation to the 'wicked problem' that persist, design thinking methodology and tools can be adopted to address the unacceptably huge gap between the services that NH operators aim to deliver and the actual service that is delivered. The study aims to understand the experience of senior adults transitioning into NH from the design thinking approach.

A phenomenological research design was used with 10 senior adults recruited. The protocol consisted of three 8-h sessions, in-depth observations of the participants in an NH environment and a 45-min semi-structured interview with the participants to understand their experience of transition into a NH.

Four distinct phases were unravelled to illustrate the transition process. Four personas were also created to represent the types of senior adults who are likely to transition into a NH. Main factors that influence the experience of transition include (1) emotions of the senior adults, (2) support provided during the transition, and (3) frequency of visitation by others.

The study validated the complexity of transition into a NH. Using the design thinking methodology and tools, such as interviewing with empathy and the creation of personas, findings can be used to develop a service model that addresses the challenges of seniors' transition into a NH.