P-21

As people age, they experience changes in their dependency on care from and support of (significant) others sooner or later. These changes are often experienced in a negative way. Sometimes, older adults use the expression ‘not to be a burden to others’ when asked about the way they handle their increased dependency. This may hinder an appropriate use of available resources of care and support, which can lead to unmet needs or a disproportional appeal on either professional and/or informal care. A descriptive qualitative research, with two older adults as co-researchers, aims to describe the lived experiences of older adults in asking for and receiving care and support, and their expectations about this in the future. The preliminary findings of a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 32 older adults, reveals five themes: network; view on care; receiving and giving care and support; autonomy; future. An important theme seems the way older adults view their changes in dependency in the future. Further analyses are necessary to receive a more nuanced understanding of these themes. The findings of this research may ultimately contribute to method that are helpful for older adults and health care professionals, particularly nurses, to discuss and explore meaningful ways in dealing with unavoidable changes in dependency.