Sense of Home in Long-Term Care Settings

The sense of home in long-term care settings encompasses the ways in which residential environments support residents’ feelings of security, identity and belonging amidst routine care provision. It is shaped by psychological factors such as autonomy and personal history, by social elements including relationships with staff, fellow residents and family, and by the physical design of spaces that balance privacy with communal life. A robust sense of home is linked to improved mental health, better sleep quality and overall quality of life, and facilitates resident engagement and well-being. Global research has highlighted the importance of personalisation of space, meaningful activities and supportive interaction models to counter institutional atmospheres. Practical applications span architectural design, care policies and staff training that foreground individuality and person-centred approaches.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored how modifications to long-term care units can enhance homelikeness and well-being. An exploratory mixed-method study of care units in South Korea examined resident perceptions of privacy, private and communal spaces, sensory environments and social support. Participants reported high satisfaction with homelike features and low levels of depression and sleep disturbance, although some expressed a desire for greater privacy and larger personal rooms. Findings emphasise the role of environmental variables such as room layout, temperature and personalised décor in promoting comfort and mental health, offering evidence-based directions for facility design and care planning.

Sense of Home in Long-Term Care Settings publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in sense of home in long-term care settings across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Person-centred care: An approach to care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs and values of individual residents.

Homelikeness: The degree to which a living environment resembles a personal home, promoting comfort and familiarity.

At-homeness: A subjective state of feeling securely rooted and connected to one’s living environment despite health or functional limitations.

Built environment: The physical characteristics of a care setting, including layout, furnishings and architectural features that shape resident experience.

References

1. Improving home-like environments in long-term care units: an exploratory mixed-method study. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. Social connection in long-term care homes: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
3. What matters to you when the nursing home is your home: a qualitative study on the views of residents with dementia living in nursing homes. BMC Geriatrics (2020).
4. The Factors Influencing the Sense of Home in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review from the Perspective of Residents. Journal of Aging Research (2016).