title: The meaning of stroke in elderly women: a phenomenological investigation.
abstract: The objective of this article is to discover meanings of stroke in elderly, non-institutionalized women survivors. Using a qualitative design, a purposive sample of five elderly women in residential settings was studied. Data were gathered through interviews and analyzed using van Manen's method of thematic analysis. An overarching theme of transition with transformation from stroke was identified. Five sub-themes were identified, including deterioration and decline, loss and helplessness, regret, uncertainty and anxiety about the future, and resiliency. Six interwoven additional themes were also identified. Informants experienced numerous changes as a result of stroke that affected ways women perceived themselves and their lives. Knowing meanings of stroke experiences may enable nurses to view stroke survivors with a wider lens, enabling responsive, appropriate care that embraces humanistic perspectives.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Mississippi, College of Nursing, Hattiesburg 39406, USA.
authors.forename: Edith L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hilton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*