Older persons' lived experiences of being playful in nursing home settings - a phenomenological reflective lifeworld research study.

The essential meaning of the phenomenon of being playful in nursing homes was identified as getting in touch with an inner dynamic life force that enables and enhances well-being.

• This meaning was derived from lifeworld interviews with 15 older persons aged 68-100 years living in nursing homes.
• The study used a phenomenological reflective lifeworld research approach.
• The inner dynamic life force was described as opening up to a profound sense of existential well-being in older persons' playful mode of being.

Four constituents illuminated the essential meaning of being playful in nursing home settings.

• The four constituents were: engaging in timeless inner wanderings, adapting to bodily change, opening towards belonging, and navigating in a state of dependency.
• These constituents collectively describe how playfulness is expressed and manifested in the lifeworld of older nursing home residents.
• Each constituent reflects a distinct dimension of how the inner dynamic life force is experienced and shaped.

Ageing, bodily changes, and institutional constraints shape how playfulness is expressed and manifested in the lifeworld of nursing home residents.

• These factors were found to influence both well-being and human dignity.
• The constituent 'adapting to bodily change' reflects how physical limitations alter expressions of playfulness.
• The constituent 'navigating in a state of dependency' reflects the influence of institutional and care-related constraints on playfulness.

Being playful was found to contribute to both well-being and human dignity in older persons living in nursing homes.

• Playfulness was linked to a profound sense of existential well-being.
• The study identified playfulness as a fundamental aspect of being human that carries health-promoting potential.
• The findings suggest acknowledging playfulness in care practice may support person-centred care, well-being, and human dignity.

The study identified a gap in existing literature, as playfulness in relation to older persons with functional impairments in Scandinavian nursing home contexts had not previously been explored.

• Being playful and having the capability to play are considered fundamental aspects of being human and are closely linked to well-being in adulthood.
• To the authors' knowledge, being playful had not been explored in Scandinavian contexts in relation to older persons with functional impairments.
• The study aimed to gain in-depth understanding to contribute knowledge supporting person-centred care and well-being.