Experiences of women living in nursing homes from a feminist social work perspective

This study focuses on the narratives, perceptions, and experiences of women living in nursing homes in Istanbul. The study is based on the narratives of older women, exploring how women's experiences and subjectivities are shaped and transformed during the process of relocating to and settling in a nursing home. The research argues that the women's aging is an important area where various power relations and inequalities in society intersect, and discusses how these power relations affect the lives of older women. This work examines the decisionmaking process to move to a nursing home, the symbolic and spatial departure from the house and family takes place, as well as the everyday life and social relations in the nursing homes. As part of the research, 22 in-depth interviews were conducted with women living in nursing homes in İstanbul affiliated with the General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, Darüşşafaka, and two private nursing homes. The interviews were analyzed with NVivo qualitative data analysis program. The results of the research show that even though there is widespread prejudice in society against nursing homes, nursing homes are institutions that empower older women. However, the prejudices in society and the lack of reliable information on nursing homes make it difficult for the older women to apply to and adapt to nursing homes. The research also shows the need to increase the advocacy practices for the nursing home residents and improve the residents' participation, in order to protect the rights of the elderly in nursing homes. This work contributes to the development of empowering and liberating feminist social policies and feminist social work practices for older women living in nursing homes.