Engaging in Communication to Promote Healthy Ageing: Home Visitors' Perspective on the Utilisation of Information From Preventive Home Visits

Background
To promote healthy ageing, it is crucial to involve older adults in social planning. Preventive home visits allow older adults to express their opinions, with home visitors playing a key role in gathering and relaying this information to decision-makers. Thus, highlighting the perspectives of home visitors is essential for maximising the utility of the collected information. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of important aspects regarding the utilisation of information from preventive home visits to create a society that promotes healthy ageing.

Methods
Five online focus group discussions were conducted with 16 home visitors from 15 municipalities representing various parts of Sweden. The discussion material was analysed with a focus on the content of the discussions.

Results
The analysis resulted in a main category: engaging in communication to promote healthy ageing—acting as the ‘spider in the web’ and advocating for older adults. Five subcategories were identified, highlighting the utilisation of information from preventive home visits for promoting healthy ageing: using older adults’ needs and capabilities as a starting point; empowering older adults to make their voices heard; compiling information to efficiently reach out; having people in leading positions close by; and receiving feedback on proposals.

Conclusions
Utilising information from preventive home visits to promote healthy ageing requires engagement from the home visitor, the older adults and a committed organisation. One critical aspect is the dialogue during the visit, which empowers the older adult and enables the home visitor to obtain information. Another important aspect is the home visitor’s engagement in communicating the information to actors who can promote healthy ageing in society. Finally, an organisation where leaders are available and give feedback on proposals based on information compiled during home visits is essential to promote healthy ageing.