Meanings of balance for people with long-term illnesses.
The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses living at home. People living with long-term illnesses are in need of help and support to manage their daily lives. Twelve adults with extensive needs for help and support were interviewed. A phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation was used to analyse the interview texts. The findings show that balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses means striving for independence through care and support in their surroundings. It was also important to be able to choose how their lives would be and to be with others who listened and understood them for who they are. By building a relationship with patients at an early stage of their illnesses, nursing staff have an opportunity to understand what people who are living at home with long-term illnesses need in order to achieve balance in their everyday lives.
Division of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
Carina
C
Nilsson
Division of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
Birgitta
B
Lindberg
Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden.
Lisa
L
Skär
Department of Nursing Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Siv
S
Söderberg
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000523:psychology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology
adults; balance; home care; long-term illness; phenomenological hermeneutic; primary care