Purpose – Research focusing on wellbeing of individuals and communities, i.e. transformative service research (TSR), has become one of the top priorities in service research. TSR is still in its infancy and more research is needed in this area. This paper contributes to TSR by studying older adults’ perceptions of the transition from independent living at home to dependent living in senior housing with assisted care.
Methods – The paper draws on the findings of a large scale survey with older adults conducted in Sweden, and an eight months long ethnographic field study conducted at a senior housing site in Finland.
Findings– We identified a complex range of issues motivating older adults to move into senior housing with assisted care. Through the lens of selfdetermination theory we suggest that the more intrinsic the motives are to make such a transition, the greater the potential for experiencing eudaimonic wellbeing. While this insight is not groundbreaking, thus far transformative research has not investigated this topic.
Conclusions – As more individuals live longer and the older adults grow in size as a group, the demand on care service is increasing. Assistance will be needed for daily living and developing senior housing that support wellbeing is essential to meet these consumer needs.
Finansierat av Stiftelsen Länsförsäkringsbolagens Forskningsfond