Meaning in life of older persons: An integrative literature review

Hupkens, Susan; Machielse, Anja; Goumans, Marleen; Derkx, P.H.J.M.

doi:10.1177/0969733016680122

Cited by 73 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 72 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The recent literature indicates that the use of technology to help meditate, self-help, report mood and support mental health is beneficial for the internal growth of older adults (Finn, 2020). In addition, smart technology offers new opportunities for old people in distress when traditional resources are unreachable, unattainable or require special effort (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…personal computers, smart phones and tablets, software, Internet), on a daily basis, for communicating by e-mail, online video/phone calls, online chatting/instant messaging, using search engines, social networking sites, apps, word processing and online shopping (Finn, 2020). Moreover, higher levels of smart technology use seem to be significant predictors of reduced loneliness, higher levels of social support, fewer depressive symptoms, better self-rated health, fewer chronic illnesses, higher life satisfaction, purpose in life and well-being among older individuals (Finn, 2020). Additionally, artificial intelligence and algorithms have improved the diagnosis and treatment of older adults (Anderberg, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

Humboldt

Mendoza-Ruvalcaba

Arias-Merino

et al. 2020

International Review of Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The exponential increase of the older segment of the population is coinciding with the growing challenges of a digital society in different socio-cultural contexts. This exploratory study aims to analyze older adult perspectives of how smart technology influenced their meaning in life during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency period, using qualitative research at a cross-national level. Three hundred and fifty-one community-dwelling older participants aged 65-87 years were included in the study. Participants were Italian, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish. All the narratives went through a process of content analysis. Findings of content analysis produced six themes: Meaningful relations, rewarding activities, spirituality, health and safety-related support, self-growth, and physical activity. Smart technology was important in promoting significant relations for Mexican older adults (71.3%), rewarding activities for Portuguese older adults (57.1%), spirituality for Spanish older participants (71.6%), and physical activity for Italian older adults (29.5%). This study indicated that smart technology during the Health Emergency period was important for the meaning in life of older populations, mostly by facilitating meaningful relations, rewarding activities and spirituality. Future interventions with older adults during pandemic periods should consider the diversity of themes associated with increasing older adult well-being, from a cross-cultural perspective.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

Humboldt

Mendoza-Ruvalcaba

Arias-Merino

et al. 2020

International Review of Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In research literature, human relationships are seen as the most important source of meaning in life. (27) Therefore, having and maintaining these social relationships and social communication is crucial for older persons. On this note, our study showed as well the lack of social contact and family support in frequent flyers.…”

Section: The Interaction Between Perceived Causes Contributing Factomentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients’ perceptions of frequent hospital admissions: A qualitative study with older people above 65 years

Huang

Borght

Leithaus

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundAlthough frequent flyers represent barely three to eight percent of the total patient population in a hospital, they are responsible for a disproportionately high percentage (12 to 28 percent) of all admissions. Moreover those hospital admissions are an important contributor to healthcare costs and overpopulation in various hospitals. The aim of this research is to get a deeper insight into the phenomenon of the frequent flyer. Our objectives were to understand the patients’ perspectives on the cause of their frequent hospital admissions and to identify the perceived consequences of the frequent flyer status.Design and methodsThis qualitative study took place at the University Hospital of Leuven. The COREQ guidelines were followed to provide rigor to the study. Patients were included when they had at least four overnight admissions in the past 12 months, an age above 65 and an hospital admission at the time of the study. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and encoded in NVivo.ResultsThirteen interviews were collected. A total of 17 perceived causes for frequent hospital admission were identified which could be divided into six themes namely patient, drugs, primary care, secondary care, home and family. Most of the causes were preventable or modifiable. The perceived consequences of being a frequent flyer were divided into six themes namely body, daily life functioning, social participation, mental status and spiritual dimension. Negative experiences were linked to frequent flying and could be situated mainly in the categories of social participation, mental status and spiritual dimensions.ConclusionsThis study offered an in-depth insight into the patients’ perceived causes of frequent admissions and identified the experiences of frequent flyers.Relevance to clinical practiceFew qualitative studies have been published in this field of research, while they can provide added value for understanding the phenomenon of frequent flying.Impact statementWhat does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?● This article offers in-depth understanding of patients’ perspectives of the cause(s) of their frequent hospital admissions.● This article shows how patients experience the consequences of being a frequent flyer on their current state.

show abstract

“…In addition, human relationships have been reported to be the major source of meaning in the lives of elderly individuals . Social activity and relationships have been reported to be beneficial in various aspects of health and wellbeing, such as longevity, maintenance of activities of daily living, mental health, and cognitive function .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement among healthy elderly Japanese people

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Given Japan's rapidly ageing society, an increasing number of elderly people live in their communities with mutual support after the death of their spouse. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. Methods An anonymous, self‐administered questionnaire was given to 864 community‐dwelling elderly people aged 65 and older who attended an Elderly Citizens' Welfare Study Group. A total of 404 responses (effective response ratio: 46.8%) were analyzed. Their mean ± SD age was 75.6 ± 5.1 years. The purpose of the questionnaire was to obtain demographic information as well as information about three scales: independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. The factor structure of the scales was studied by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. This study's protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama Prefectural University. Results Factor analysis indicated a three‐factor second‐order factor model for independence of daily living and human relationships and a one‐factor model for preparation for bereavement. Structural equation modelling showed that independence of daily living was significantly correlated with human relationships (r = 0.261, P < 0.001), and human relationships was significantly correlated with preparation for bereavement (r = 0.295, P < 0.001). There was no significant direct correlation between the independence of daily living and preparation for bereavement. Conclusions Encouraging elderly people to form good human relationships may help their preparation for bereavement. Further studies are required to determine whether this actually attenuates difficulties after bereavement.

show abstract

Meaning in life of older persons: An integrative literature review

Cited by 73 publications

References 72 publications

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

Patients’ perceptions of frequent hospital admissions: A qualitative study with older people above 65 years

Relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement among healthy elderly Japanese people

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About