A qualitative study of nursing staff members' interpretations of signs of gerotranscendence.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted in Sweden and investigated whether nursing staff working with old people could recognize signs of gerotranscendence and, if so, how they interpreted such signs. Another aim was to describe how the staff addressed and cared for older people, 65 and older, showing signs of gerotranscendence.


BACKGROUND
The theory of gerotranscendence is a theory that, present a new understanding of the ageing process. Gerotranscendence is regarded as a natural developmental process, and the term transcendence implies a shift in an older person's meta-perspective and a new outlook on reality.


METHODS
Proceeding from Tornstam's description of signs of gerotranscendence, an interview guide was designed, qualitative interviews performed and the theory of gerotranscendence was used as the basis for the qualitative analysis.


RESULTS
Findings showed that staff working with old people noticed signs of gerotranscendence. However, their interpretations were highly variable; in some cases such signs were interpreted as what might be interpreted as "pathological". This is probably because the staff had no theoretical tools with which to make other interpretations. Some signs were interpreted as common and in some cases as "normal". These could be theoretically understood from either an activity or developmental perspective.


CONCLUSIONS
Staffs' need an interpretative framework allowing them to understand the signs they sometimes observe in older people. Having an interpretative framework in which these signs are seen as normal aspects of ageing would enable staff to develop a different attitude towards older people and another approach to caring for them.
Wadensten
B
B
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Science Park, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 10 B, S-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden. barbro.wadensten@pubcare.uu.se
Carlsson
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004645:Empathy; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden