Wellbeing of older adults ageing solo in the context of self-determination theory

Abstract

Ageing in place is everyone’s preferred alternative for care in older age and while it offers various benefits, it is also associated with certain risks, especially for those ageing alone. Home social services become a crucial resource for ensuring service users’ wellbeing. The paper aimed to explore the ageing in place experiences of older adults who live alone and use home social services, meaning that they require a certain level of support in their everyday lives. In total, 18 qualitative semi-structured interviews with older adults recruited through convenience/ snowball sampling were conducted from February 2025 to January 2026. The results were interpreted through the lenses of self-determination theory by Ryan and Deci. The theory posits that a person cannot achieve a sense of well-being if their social environment does not provide opportunities to satisfy three basic and universal social needs: the need for competence, the need for relatedness, and a need for autonomy. The results highlight the dual nature of solo ageing in place: while independence and the sense of freedom is highly valued, it is inevitably intertwined with vulnerability and acknowledging one’s own limitations. Findings also emphasise the invaluable role of social work and home social services in supporting older adults’ ability to age in place, not only through practical assistance but also by fostering relationships that enable resilience and improve quality of life. The data suggest that the home social services might become an important factor in helping to meet older adults’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, thus fostering their sense of wellbeing and enabling them to continue living in their own homes despite the increased need for everyday help.