Creating a home away from home: a resident-centred systematic review and meta-synthesis of ideal nursing home qualities from the perspectives of cognitively intact residents

Findings highlighted that autonomy, meaningful social connections and personalised environments are essential for fostering a home-like setting for long-term residents. Institutional constraints hinder this, highlighting the need for policies embedding autonomy into routines, staff training and design, with flexible, personalised and culturally attuned care practices that respect residents' preferences.