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Embraced by the past, hopeful for the future: meaning of health to ageing persons who have migrated from the Western Balkan region to Sweden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2015

QARIN LOOD ,
GRETA HÄGGBLOM-KRONLÖF  and
LISEN DELLENBORG
QARIN LOOD*
Affiliation:
Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
GRETA HÄGGBLOM-KRONLÖF
Affiliation:
Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
LISEN DELLENBORG
Affiliation:
Institution of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
*
Address for correspondence: Qarin Lood, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, University of Gothenburg, Box 455, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Previous research has often visualised ageing and migration as risk factors for poor health, pointing to a need for targeting health-promoting efforts towards ageing persons who are born abroad. However, most research has been conducted from an objective and poor health perspective, losing the broader picture of health in the context of ageing and migration. A key issue left unexplored is the meaning of health from a subjective perspective with focus upon persons who constitute the target groups for health promotion and other health-care services. A large number of people are now ageing in countries other than their country of birth. Therefore, studying the meaning of health in relation to this part of the population is of growing importance. As part of a larger health promotion project, the aim of this study was to explore the meaning of health to ageing persons who have migrated from the Western Balkan region to Sweden. Data were collected by individual interviews, conducted in the participants' mother tongue. Inspired by Ricoeur's hermeneutic approach, health was interpreted as a retrospective and prospective process of exercising control over one's own life, daily activities and social commitments. This interpretation is discussed in relation to how a person-centred approach to health-care services could bridge health inequities in an ageing and globalising society.

Keywords

immigrantshealth equityhealth promotionolder personsperson-centred carequalitative research
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , March 2016 , pp. 649 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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