Meaning of life among elderly individuals with chronic diseases living with family: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Many elderly individuals receive lifelong treatment caused by chronic diseases with symptoms that affecting them physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Spirituality plays an essential role in health conditions and social relationships given that it provides meaning to the elderly individuals life by allowing them to see the wisdom of life events experienced. This research aimed to explore the meaning of life among elderly individuals with chronic diseases. Methods: This research applied descriptive phenomenology using Colaizzi's method of thematic analysis among 13 elderly patients with chronic diseases. Results: Elderly individuals with chronic diseases found meaning through the following items: (1) surrender to God, (2) divine destiny, (3) care until death, (4) guarantee for health finance, (5) role replacement, and (6) observing the development of children and grandchildren. Conclusion: Elderly individuals with chronic diseases can obtained positive meaning in life through family support. Families are thus expected to facilitate the development of meaning in the lives of elderly individuals with chronic diseases to help them fulfill their spiritual needs.

The Meaning of Life During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Research

“…The group with the highest search for meaning in life score is young adults, and the lowest group is advanced adults; It is seen that the group with the highest existing meaning in life score is middle adults, and the group with the lowest is advanced adults. When the related literature is examined; studies abroad on the meaning of life are often carried out with advanced adults (Bahtiar, Sahar & Wiarsih, 2020;Girardi Paskulin & Molzahn, 2007;Levasseur, Tribble & Desrosiers, 2009); It is observed that the studies carried out in the country are mostly carried out ith university students (Baş and Hamarta,20 ;Demirci Seyrek & Ersanlı,20 ; Taşdibi Ünlü, 20 9 and young adults (Topuz,20 6;Yüksel,20 2 . Ho ever, studies involving all three developmental periods (Orang, Hashemi Razini, Ramshini & Orang, 20 8;Şahin, 2020 seem to be quite limited.…”

“…Özmete (2008 found that advanced adults who have a romantic partner and receive social support from their children are happier and have higher levels of life satisfaction. Bahtiar et al (2020) found that children and grandchildren add meaning to the lives of advanced adults. Considering that relationships are a source of meaning in every developmental period (Hill et al, 2013), it can be said that the current finding is in line with the findings in the relevant literature.…”

Rediscovering Life (Post Traumatic Growth on People Living With Hiv)

“…Bahtiar expressed that one can reach the meaningful life level and process to be a better person, depending on the values they receive in their life process (Bahtiar et al, 2020). People living with HIV try to accept their current condition as the most critical life lesson not to repeat it, seek forgiveness to create spaciousness, increase self-control and minimize conflict.…”

The role of meaning in life as a protective factor in suicidal ideation among elderly men with physical illnesses

“…Therefore, new sources and roles contribute to the sense of meaning in old age. Accordingly, positive meaning in life among elderly people with chronic diseases was found to be enhanced by family support (Bahitar et al, 2020). Frankl (1985) assumed that recognition of meaning in life might minimize pathological responses to negative factors and reduce suicide risk.…”