Birgit Hauger

• Hauger, Birgit; Martinsen, Randi; Hestad, Knut Asbjørn & Ødbehr, Liv Skomakerstuen (2026). Loneliness Among Older Adults Receiving Home Care: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutical Study. Nursing Reports. ISSN 2039-439X. 16(7), s. 1–19. doi: 10.3390/nursrep16070230. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background/Objectives: Norway’s ageing population includes many older adults living alone who receive home care and are at increased risk of loneliness. Loneliness is the subjective sense of unmet or imbalanced social needs, shaped by culture and living conditions, and can be social (lack of contact) or emotional (absence of close, trusting relationships). In older people, it often follows partner or role loss or reduced mobility or participation and is associated with emotional pain, lowered self-worth and poorer health and quality of life. This study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of loneliness while living alone and receiving home care. Methods: Twelve older patients (aged 74–98 years) participated in in-depth interviews, which were analysed using phenomenological-hermeneutical analysis in line with Lindseth and Norberg’s recommendations. Results: The results are presented under the following themes: (I) An overwhelming and painful feeling, (II) A presence without connection, and (III) Experiencing a sense of alienation. Conclusions: This study describes complex feelings of loneliness for the majority of participants, often worsened by poor mobility and shrinking social networks. From the patient perspective, good home care goes beyond practical and medical tasks: patients need to be treated as whole persons, with respect and understanding, to alleviate loneliness. Staffing stability, predictable visiting times, time for conversation, and small acts of kindness are central to well-being and the prevention of loneliness. Municipal healthcare should prioritize relationship-building, communication skills, and organizational solutions that enable continuity and flexibility. Focusing on the patient perspective in planning and evaluation will create better targeted interventions and support dignified ageing.

• Hauger, Birgit; Martinsen, Randi; Hestad, Knut Asbjørn & Ødbehr, Liv Skomakerstuen (2025). Assessment Teams Experience of Barriers and Challenges When Assessing Loneliness and Depression Among Home-Dwelling Elderly: A Qualitative Study. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. ISSN 0283-9318. 39(2). doi: 10.1111/scs.70026. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Loneliness and depression in the elderly population are a worldwide challenge. Elderly people receiving home care are very vulnerable, as they often suffer from comorbidity and various other challenges. Aim: The study aim was to explore how care assessment teams experience assessing loneliness and symptoms of depression among home care recipients aged 65 years and older in planned home visits. Method: This study has a qualitative design. Data were collected during two phases. First, data from documents were collected in seven municipalities on 168 home care decisions made by assessment units during 1 month. Second, 10 caseworkers and 10 case managers from different care assessment teams in 20 municipalities located in four different regions in Norway were individually interviewed. Both data sources were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Analysis of the documents revealed that only three of the 168 home care decisions described support for mental health. The analysis of the interviews resulted in three themes: (i) 'Physical health has higher priority than mental health in home care', (ii) 'Being diagnosed is essential to receive support from home care', (iii) 'Major differences in mental health support between municipalities'. Conclusion: Caseworkers in care assessment teams find that many home-dwelling elderly are struggling with loneliness and depression, but barriers on both organisational and administrative levels prevent them from providing appropriate interventions. Mental health is thus not systematically recorded in assessments, which may lead to loneliness and depression being overlooked. There are significant differences between municipalities regarding service offerings and follow-up procedures for loneliness and depression, and both caseworkers and municipal leadership must ensure a system that provides comprehensive patient care.

• Hauger, Birgit; Martinsen, Randi; Hestad, Knut Asbjørn & Ødbehr, Liv Skomakerstuen (2025). Nurses’ perspectives on clinical competence to identify loneliness and depression in older people in home care: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research. 25(1), s. 1–14. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12428-y. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Loneliness and depression in older people are increasing worldwide. Proficient nursing practice requires the continuous and long-term development of clinical knowledge. Lifelong learning is essential and enhances clinical nursing practice. Nursing includes various functional areas that illustrate registered nurses' wide range of responsibilities to ensure healthcare quality. Registered nurses are committed to working comprehensively, observing patients and identifying symptoms of both physical and mental ill-being. The aim of this study is to explore how registered nurses perceive their clinical competence in observing signs of loneliness and depression in older people in home care, and which barriers in home care services prevent quality improvement. Methods: Fifteen registered nurses from home care units in Norway were individually interviewed, and the interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis revealed three themes in accordance with the study aim: I) Uncertainty about knowledge of mental health, II) Lack of opportunities to meet the patients' needs regarding mental ill-being, III) Feelings of guilt for not doing enough for patients. Conclusions: Lack of education and training in mental health creates uncertainty and limits registered nurses' ability to effectively address signs of loneliness and depression. Registered nurses often feel unprepared to handle psychological aspects of care. Organizational barriers hinder effective care. Additionally, the emotional toll on registered nurses, who experience guilt and moral distress due to their limited ability to provide sufficient care, highlights the impact of these systemic issues on patients. The study underscores the need for improved training, better collaboration, and stronger leadership to prioritize mental health and ensure that registered nurses have the necessary resources and support to meet the needs of older people with signs of mental ill-being in home care.

• Hauger, Birgit; Wiker, Marit & Hamnes, Bente (2020). Sykepleiere strekker ikke til i arbeid med barn som pårørende. Nordisk sygeplejeforskning. ISSN 1892-2678. s. 266–279. doi: 10.18261/issn.1892-2686-2020-04-05. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Bakgrunn: Sykepleier plikter etter Norsk lovverk å ivareta mindreårige barn som pårørende. Studier tyder på at dette arbeidet ikke er tilstrekkelig ivaretatt, og fordi barn som pårørende er et satsningsområde er det behov for mer forskning om hvordan det jobbes med barna, samt hvordan dette arbeidet virker. Hensikt: Å utforske sykepleieres opplevelser med oppfølging av barn som pårørende av kreftpasienter i palliativ fase i sykehjem. Metode: Kvalitativ deskriptiv studie, der datainnsamlingen er gjennom individuelle intervjuer. Kvale & Brinkmanns stadier for intervjuundersøkelse er anvendt. Studien undersøker femten sykepleiere med gjennomsnitt syv års erfaring med barn som pårørende i aldersgruppen 0-18 år på sykehjem. Resultat: Analysen av datamaterialet resulterte i tre temaer som beskrev informantenes opplevelser i møte barn som pårørende, og omhandlet sykepleiers opplevelse av utilstrekkelighet, deres ønske om mer kompetanse samt opplevelse av lite støtte fra ledelsen. Konklusjon: Sykepleierne ønsker å gjøre en god jobb med barna, men opplever at de ikke strekker til i arbeidet med barn som pårørende, og at de har for lite kompetanse til å ivareta barna.

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