Three nursing home residents speak about meaning at the end of life.
This article provides a deeper understanding of how meaning can be created in everyday life at a nursing home. It is based on a primary study concerning dignity involving 12 older people living in two nursing homes in Sweden. A secondary analysis was carried out on data obtained from three of the primary participants interviewed over a period of time (18-24 months), with a total of 12 interviews carried out using an inductive hermeneutic approach. The study reveals that sources of meaning were created by having a sense of: physical capability, cognitive capability, being needed, and belonging. Meaning was created through inner dialogue, communication and relationships with others. A second finding is that the experience of meaning can sometimes be hard to realize.
Dwyer
Lise-Lotte
LL
Department of Health Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden. lise-lotte.dwyer@hi.oru.se
Nordenfelt
Lennart
L
Ternestedt
Britt-Marie
BM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033262:Narration; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010166:Palliative Care; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden