An imperfect refuge: : life in an ‘old folkʹs home’ for younger residents with psychiatric disorders

Residents under age 65 comprise a small, but not insignificant, segment of the US nursing home population—a segment about which very little is known. This article explores the meaningful constitution of nursing home experience among younger, psychiatrically disabled residents of an urban nursing home. Residents’ “behavior problems”, the difficulties imposed by institutional life, and American age norms emerged as key dynamics in residents’ understandings of nursing home life. In addition to these factors, the nursing home was evaluated in relation to previous life experiences, perceived alternatives, and expectations of personal freedom. Ultimately, most younger residents found the nursing home to be a refuge, albeit an imperfect one.