Doing everyday life--experiences of the oldest old.
The purpose of this article is to explore how a group of elderly people, living and managing on their own, describe and experience their everyday doings. Interviews and observations were conducted with 18 community-living people aged 85 and above. The experiences of 'Doing everyday life' are described in five overarching themes: 'Experiencing being old', 'Doings in everyday life', 'Patterns of the day', 'Altered doings', and 'The importance of time'. What is done during an ordinary day does not differ much from earlier in life, but how the doings are performed has changed. Being occupied and staying healthy and sound in mind was stressed as important in old age and even if reduced energy and functional constraints limited the doings, a strong volition to manage independently was expressed. The participants perceived society as regarding the elderly as useless and worthless. Knowledge emanating from the very old themselves is vital to diversify the image of elderly people and to offer interventions and support adapted to their needs and desires.
Larsson
Asa
A
Linköping University, ISV/NISAL, Norrköping, Sweden. asa.larsson@isv.liu.se
Haglund
Lena
L
Hagberg
Jan-Erik
JE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological