Centenarians' views on long life and nursing home living.
OBJECTIVE
1) Systematically examine centenarians' perspectives on longevity and living in a nursing home (specifically food and hobby preferences). 2) Contribute to existing knowledge based on autobiographies and longitudinal and cross-sectional studies conducted in other nations and the U.S.A.


METHODS
Univariate and content analysis 472 Century Club applications completed by (and on behalf) of centenarians.


METHODS
South Dakota, using a data base provided by the South Dakota Health Care Association.


METHODS
472 centenarians born between 1885 and 1901 and living in South Dakota nursing homes.


METHODS
Demographic data and answers to four open-ended questions on an application form were analyzed using SPSS and thematic analysis respectively.


RESULTS
Centenarians identified individual physical actions, mental attitude, religious orientation, genetics, and help from others as reasons for their long lives. Two additional themes emerged. Centenarians' comments emphasized being socially engaged with others and making a personal investment in bettering the life experience for others as core elements of quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of centenarians' explanations of long life and their preferences for hobbies and food in nursing home settings may assist medical directors in enhancing quality of care delivered by the interdisciplinary team to this burgeoning population group.
Schrader
Susan L
SL
Department of Sociology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA. susan.schrader@augie.edu
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006686:Hobbies; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013023:South Dakota