Recent Advances in Understanding Thriving Among Older Adults in Care Homes: A Groundbreaking Finnish Study
In the evolving field of geriatric care, ensuring the well-being and thriving of older adults residing in care homes represents a critical metric of healthcare quality and sustainability. New research emerging from Åbo Akademi University in Finland offers pivotal insights into how older persons perceive thriving within care facilities, unearthing fundamental factors that foster a meaningful and fulfilling life in these environments. This doctoral research, led by Ann-Sofie Silvennoinen, constitutes the first empirical investigation in Finland focusing primarily on the subjective experience of thriving among residential care home populations, marking a significant contribution to both national and international aged care discourse.
As global demographics shift toward an aging population, the demands placed upon aged care infrastructure are escalating substantially. Nations worldwide face the challenge of adequately supporting an increasing number of older adults who require complex, multifaceted care. In response, healthcare paradigms must transcend traditional biomedical treatments, integrating holistic approaches that combine medical, psychosocial, and social competencies. Person-centered care has emerged as a central tenet in this paradigm shift, emphasizing respect for individuality, identity, and personal history. Silvennoinen’s research takes this principle further by empirically linking thriving – a multidimensional construct encompassing safety, purposefulness, and well-being – to measurable care quality indicators.
The significance of thriving extends beyond subjective well-being, serving as a quantifiable reflection of care excellence and a cornerstone for sustainable healthcare delivery. Within care homes, thriving is not merely a transient emotional state but an emergent property of care practices, environment, and interpersonal dynamics that altogether define the quality of life. This positions thriving as a vital benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of aged care services, with profound implications for policy formulation and resource allocation.
Silvennoinen identifies five integral factors that collectively influence the thriving of older adults in residential care settings. First, the resident’s personal attitude toward living in a care home plays a foundational role, shaping perceptions of autonomy and adaptation. Second, the quality of care delivered and the competence and compassion of caregivers directly impact residents’ experiences, fostering a sense of security and validation. Third, engagement in meaningful activities and social interactions enhances connectedness and counters isolation, supporting mental and emotional health. Fourth, the physical environment—including factors such as homeliness, accessibility, and tranquility—substantially affects residents’ comfort and sense of belonging. Lastly, the individual’s health status informs their capacity to participate in and derive satisfaction from daily life, highlighting the interdependence of physical well-being and thriving.
Among these, social engagement emerges as the most potent contributor to thriving. Participation in meaningful communal activities, feeling recognized by peers and staff, and sustaining interpersonal connections correspond strongly with residents’ reported levels of thriving. This underscores the critical role of relational care and opportunities for social participation in mitigating loneliness, a prevalent issue associated with adverse health outcomes in elderly populations.
The study also reveals a notable gender discrepancy: women report higher thriving levels than men, suggesting that male residents’ needs may be insufficiently addressed within a care sector predominantly staffed by women. This finding points to a nuanced dimension of individual care, directing attention toward gender-responsive approaches that recognize and accommodate diverse psychological and social needs.
Crucially, Silvennoinen conceptualizes thriving as encompassing perceived safety, meaningfulness, and overall well-being, factors intrinsically linked to a resident’s sense of identity and purpose. This articulation shifts the narrative from mere care provision to fostering enduring human dignity, affirming each person’s value irrespective of their frailty or dependency. The research advocates for tailored methodologies that actively support these dimensions, including the integration of residents’ life stories into care planning and the promotion of autonomy through participatory decision-making.
Implementing strategies to enhance thriving does not necessitate complex or resource-heavy interventions. Rather, the research demonstrates that relatively straightforward measures—such as facilitating social interactions, designing calm and homelike physical environments, and fostering active participation in daily life—can substantially elevate care quality. These enhancements not only improve residents’ subjective experiences but also positively impact clinical outcomes by potentially reducing reliance on extensive care and pharmacological interventions.
From an economic perspective, thriving corresponds with sustainability. As older persons experience higher levels of well-being, their healthcare utilization may diminish, alleviating pressures on care systems and contributing to cost containment. This finding aligns thriving not only with humanitarian values but also with pragmatic imperatives for healthcare policy, underscoring its multidimensional benefit across quality, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility domains.
Silvennoinen’s defense of her doctoral thesis at Åbo Akademi University represents a milestone in health sciences research focused on aged care optimization. By bridging empirical inquiry with practical application, this work lays a foundation for advancing person-centered models of care that honor the complex social, emotional, and environmental factors contributing to thriving among older residents.
In sum, the study provides a comprehensive framework illuminating how thriving can serve as both an outcome and an operational principle in aged care. Its findings advocate for a reorientation of care priorities toward fostering engagement, respecting individuality, and creating supportive environments. This approach promises not only to enhance the lived experience of older adults but also to promote a more resilient and sustainable aged care system in the face of demographic change.
In an era marked by unprecedented aging populations, translating these research insights into policy and practice bears profound significance. Enabling older individuals to thrive within care homes challenges caregivers, administrators, and policymakers alike to rethink and refine care delivery models. Through targeted efforts emphasizing social connection, environmental quality, and person-centered responsiveness, the goal of dignified, meaningful life for all older adults in residential care comes into sharper focus.
As the nexus between scientific research and societal needs continues to strengthen, studies such as Silvennoinen’s play an indispensable role in shaping the future landscape of aged care. They remind us that thriving, far from a nebulous ideal, is an achievable and measurable phenomenon with tangible benefits extending to individuals, care systems, and broader societies.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Thriving of Older Persons in Finnish Care Homes
News Publication Date: 11 December 2025
Web References: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-4617-3
References: Ann-Sofie Silvennoinen, Doctoral Thesis, Åbo Akademi University, 2025
Image Credits: Not provided
Keywords: Thriving, Older Adults, Care Homes, Aged Care, Person-Centered Care, Social Engagement, Health Sciences, Well-being, Sustainable Healthcare, Quality of Life
