title: Connectedness in community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the processes involved with connectedness in community-dwelling older adults, which the authors contend is quality of life from a generative perspective. Using a grounded theory approach, 12 older adults were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, categories were created to code the data, and themes were extracted. Four processes involved with connectedness in older adults were identified: (a) having something to do, (b) having relationships, (c) having a stake in the future, and (d) having a sense of continuity. Various aspects of spirituality were also apparent in each of the four processes. This study suggests that connectedness provides older adults with a mechanism to engage life in meaningful, positive, and purposeful ways.
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. endoxie2@aol.com
authors.forename: M Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Register
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Scharer
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support