Meaning in life: the perspective of long-term care residents.
A qualitative approach was used in the exploration of meaning in life for long-term care (LTC) residents. This hermeneutic phenomenological study, as described by van Manen, was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 11 LTC residents from a rural region in Atlantic Canada. Four themes emerged as enhancing meaning in life for the residents in this study: Connectedness, Survival Despite Declining Functional Capacity, Engaging in "Normal" Activities, and Seeking a Place of Refuge. In this article, we describe the emerging themes and the implications for LTC education, practice, and future research.
Western Health, Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada. darlenewelsh@westernhealth.nl.ca
Darlene
D
Welsh
Sharon L
SL
Moore
Beverley A
BA
Getzlaf
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D009735:Nursing Homes; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012423:Rural Health; D012944:Social Support