A grounded theory of seniors’ self-preservation : maintaining residual self and resisting decay

• One of the major health issues in elderly are injuries and the second most prevalent causes of injury-related hospitalizations are falls. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to generate an explanatory theory of seniors living independently in the community and how they possibly resolve issues influenced by visual impairment and risk of falling. Thirteen elderly people living independently in the community (seven women and six men, aged between 73 and 85 years) and six visual instructors participated as data informants in this interview and observational study where we applied classic grounded theory. The elderly individuals were maintaining their residual self and resisting self-decay as part of an overarching pattern of behaviour that we call self-preservation. The main concern of participants was to remain themselves as who they used to be. This study is not a typology of people but of their behaviour and one person could use both these strategies to preserve self. He or she would both maintain their residual selves by living with the past, keeping their home intact, maintaining past activities and appearances by facading and avoiding burdening their family; as well as resisting self-decay by exercising, using walking aids or hearing aids or maintaining support networks with neighbours, friends or other groups of seniors as well as being physically active. Whilst maintaining one’s residual self is mostly driven by inertia resisting self-decay is often a proactive and purposely driven strategy.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Vårdvetenskap

Nursing Science

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