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At the mercy of others – for better or worse
Author(s) -
Dybvik Tove Katrin,
Gjengedal Eva,
Lykkeslet Else
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/scs.12078
Subject(s) - norwegian , meaning (existential) , existentialism , psychosocial , nursing , qualitative research , nursing homes , psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , sociology , social science , philosophy , linguistics , epistemology
Many elderly people spend their remaining days in nursing homes and are thus affected by issues pertaining to a good life in a nursing home. The Norwegian study presented in this article aimed to gain greater knowledge and understanding of the significant factors associated with a good life in a nursing home. Qualitative in‐depth interviews with six nursing home residents aged 80 to 96 years were conducted to collect data. The aim of the analysis was to identify typical aspects related to a good life in a nursing home according to descriptions provided by nursing home residents. The findings identified both physical and psychosocial elements, and the following three main themes emerged: receiving help when the body fails is good, meaningful days despite loss and limitations, and time as a friend or foe. In conclusion, our findings indicate that it is important to understand that a good life has a deeper meaning because it challenges the existential preconditions for life.