Contrasts in older persons' experiences and significant others' perceptions of existential loneliness

Nursing Ethics
Helena LarssonMargareta Rämgård

Abstract

As frail older people might have difficulties in expressing themselves, their needs are often interpreted by others, for example, by significant others, whose information health care staff often have to rely on. This, in turn, can put health care staff in ethically difficult situations, where they have to choose between alternative courses of action. One aspect that might be especially difficult to express is that of existential loneliness. We have only sparse knowledge about whether, and in what way, the views of frail older persons and their significant others concerning existential loneliness are in concordance. To contrast frail older (>75) persons' experiences with their significant others' perceptions of existential loneliness. A case study design was chosen for this study. Individual interviews with frail older persons (n = 15) and interviews with their significant others (n = 19), as well as field notes, served as a basis for the study. A thematic analysis was used to interpret data. Ethical considerations: This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of research ethics. The findings showed three themes: (1) Meaningless waiting in contrast to lack of activities, (2) Longing for a deeper connectedness in co...Continue Reading

References

Jul 15, 2006·Nursing Ethics·Ingrid Agren BolmsjöLars Sandman
Dec 26, 2006·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Lisa Sand, Peter Strang
Oct 1, 2008·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Peter CraigUNKNOWN Medical Research Council Guidance
May 5, 2010·Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics·Eric J EttemaEvert van Leeuwen
May 25, 2010·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Esther MokKin-sang Chan
Jul 6, 2014·Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·M SevrainL Misery
Dec 10, 2014·Nursing Ethics·Leena TuominenRiitta Suhonen
Apr 20, 2016·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Erica WitkampAgnes van der Heide
Jan 17, 2017·International Psychogeriatrics·Sarah RobertsonGill Livingston

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