Self-care ability in a group of elderly Swedish people: a phenomenological study.
The aims of this study were to describe self-care ability in a group of Swedish elderly and to elucidate the meaning of actualizing this self-care ability into self-care activity. Two different phenomenological methods were applied in the analyses of 11 self-reports written by home dwelling elderly in the community. The eidetic structure of self-care ability was twofold; it entailed, first, being present to the opportunity to act on certain perceived influences on the body and, second, alone or with support from somebody else to be able to bring about a change in attitude towards one's personal lifestyle or life situation. The meaning of actualizing this ability was interpreted as self-realization or self-transcendence.
Söderhamn
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Department of Medicine and Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009729:Nursing; D012648:Self Care; D013548:Sweden