Elisabeth Jonsén1, Astrid Norberg1,2, Berit Lundman1. 1. Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 2. Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Having meaning in life is important for all people, and according to Erikson's developmental theory, this is especially true for older adults. However, there are few studies about meaning in life focusing on the oldest old. AIM: The aim of our study was to illuminate the sense of meaning in life in the oldest old living in northern Sweden. DESIGN: The study has a qualitative explorative and interpretative design. METHOD: We interviewed three men and seven women between 85 and 95 years old and analysed the interviews using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Our findings revealed the following four themes: 'Creating space for living', 'Living in connection with others and nature', 'Seeing oneself as a link between generations' and 'Having trust in God'. CONCLUSIONS: The sense of meaning in life in the oldest old was linked to regarding oneself as having a mission to carry out and to finding beauty, joy and happiness in life. The sense of meaning involved transferring to coming generations what earlier generations had left and having a deeply rooted faith in being taken care of from birth to the afterlife. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When caring for the oldest old, it is important to take their experiences of sense of meaning in life into consideration and to focus on ways to maintain important sources of meaning in life.
BACKGROUND: Having meaning in life is important for all people, and according to Erikson's developmental theory, this is especially true for older adults. However, there are few studies about meaning in life focusing on the oldest old. AIM: The aim of our study was to illuminate the sense of meaning in life in the oldest old living in northern Sweden. DESIGN: The study has a qualitative explorative and interpretative design. METHOD: We interviewed three men and seven women between 85 and 95 years old and analysed the interviews using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Our findings revealed the following four themes: 'Creating space for living', 'Living in connection with others and nature', 'Seeing oneself as a link between generations' and 'Having trust in God'. CONCLUSIONS: The sense of meaning in life in the oldest old was linked to regarding oneself as having a mission to carry out and to finding beauty, joy and happiness in life. The sense of meaning involved transferring to coming generations what earlier generations had left and having a deeply rooted faith in being taken care of from birth to the afterlife. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When caring for the oldest old, it is important to take their experiences of sense of meaning in life into consideration and to focus on ways to maintain important sources of meaning in life.