The balancing act of dementia care: an ethnographic study of everyday life and relatives’ experiences in a Danish nursing home for people living with advanced dementia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how everyday life was organized in a Danish nursing home for people living with advanced dementia and how relatives experienced their family members’ everyday lives. Methods: Field notes from participant observations (approximately 160 hours) and transcripts from ethnographic interviews with relatives (9) were analysed thematically in accordance with ethnographic principles. Results: The analysis revealed one main theme, ‘Enabling a meaningful everyday life in the nursing home’ with two corresponding sub-themes: (1) Structures of daily life: Balancing collective and individual activities and (2) Physical togetherness: Balancing being together and being alone. Conclusions: The findings showed that everyday life in the nursing home was organized to support a meaningful life for the residents by providing activities and togetherness on a daily basis. While relatives generally appreciated the everyday life experienced in the nursing home, challenges were encountered in connection with the provision of an appropriate balance between levels and types of activities and togetherness for all residents.