Das Altenheim - immer noch eine "totale Institution"? (English shop)

Eine Untersuchung des Binnenlebens zweier Altenheime

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This dissertation takes its bearings from the concept of the “total institution”. This concept was developed by Erving Goffman using the example of a psychiatric hospital. In principle, it also claims validity for other, similar establishments — old people’s homes among them. The discussion of the state of research shows, however, that no thorough analysis of such homes from this perspective has yet been undertaken. On the basis of this concept, therefore, a theoretical frame of reference for the present study was developed.

Institutions cannot be considered in isolation. Accordingly, the actual analysis is preceded by an overview of the historical development. Building on this, the current situation of old people’s homes in Germany is outlined. The central aspect here is the structural changes resulting from the introduction of long-term care insurance in 1995/96. A discussion of the public image of old people’s homes concludes this introductory section.

The analysis is based on a specially designed empirical study. It was carried out in two different homes, in each case in the residential units. One home is located in the former West German states and the other in the former East German states. The study consists of a semi-open questionnaire and participant observation. It essentially covers the following thematic areas: the situation upon moving in, temporal and spatial structures, and social relations. In addition, two interviews with the directors of the homes were conducted.

As a result of the theoretical considerations and the empirical study, the introduction of the concept of a “pseudo-total institution” is proposed for comparable old people’s homes. An extension of this concept to other institutions also appears entirely possible. Characteristic of such establishments is that the behaviour of the residents is often strongly similar to that of people in the “total institutions” of the frame of reference. In contrast to the latter, however, the reasons are to be found less in the regulations and in the restrictive behaviour of the staff. The scope for action identified in the institutions studied is in many cases not made use of. Rather, other factors determine everyday life, for example state of health, level of education and financial situation. This result is confirmed by a comparison of the decisive aspects of the lives of older people inside and outside such homes. Overall, the study thus demonstrates that society-wide framing conditions also exert a considerable influence on the conduct of life in old age.