Reflections of older people living in nursing homes
Christina Melin-Johansson Senior lecturer, Department of Nursing Sciences, Mid-Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
Ulrika Eriksson Lecturer, Department of Nursing Sciences, Mid-Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
Inger Segerbäck Registered nurse, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit, Ystad Hospital, Ystad, Sweden
Sara Boström Registered nurse, Homecare, Östhammar Municipality, Alunda, Sweden
Christina Melin-Johansson and colleagues present the findings from a qualitative study that provides an insight into how residents experience ageing
Aim To explore experiences of ageing in older people living in nursing homes, based on the gerotranscendence theory.
Method Interviews were held with 14 people aged between 80 and 96 years. The results were analysed using content analysis.
Findings The findings were divided into three categories: the self, the cosmic dimension, and social and personal relationships. These three categories were underpinned by eight subcategories. Most participants described improved knowledge about themselves, decreased concern about body and appearance, acceptance and appreciation of life, and less regard for social norms. A fewer participants described a greater affinity with past generations, or thought that the borders between past and present had become blurred.
Conclusion This study provides a better understanding of how people experience old age. It also indicates how healthcare professionals could apply the gerotranscendence theory of ageing as a conversation model to enable care to be adjusted according to older people’s wishes.
Nursing Older People.
26, 1, 33-39.
doi: 10.7748/nop2014.02.26.1.33.e524
Correspondence
titti.melin-johansson@miun.se
Peer review
This article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interest
None declared
Received: 09 September 2013
Accepted: 02 October 2013
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