‘It was hard but it is satisfying’: The lived experience of older adults moving to a residential home (Griya Werdha) in Surabaya

Relocation stress could occur in relocated older adults. The signs and symptoms often manifest as non-specific complaints. This study aimed to elicit the lived experience of relocated older adults in a residential home in Surabaya. Individual interviews were conducted following consent being given, in addition to MMSE, GDS and Family APGAR score tests. Seven residents aged between 60 to 80 years old voluntarily participated in this study. A phenomenological approach was used to develop the narrative findings following verbatim transcription and the work by Colaizzi (1976). Five themes emerged from the study: moving was a hard decision, feeling lonely in the first months, trying to accept changes and the feeling of being health-supported. These themes reflected that moving to a residential home was hard despite the voluntary decision. Eventually, they adapt by virtue of support from the other residents, their visiting families and the health staff. Their final stories reflected satisfaction focused on their well-maintained daily and health needs.