Paper
Thursday, July 22, 2004
This presentation is part of : Quality of Life and Aging
Hope, Meaning in Life and Aging
Sharon L. Moore, RN, MEd, PhD, Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada
Learning Objective #1: Describe factors that contribute to meaning in life in older adults
Learning Objective #2: Consider questions that contribute to understanding the relationship between hope and meaning in life as individuals age
Introduction: Meaning is a common human quest for a map, known or felt, that guides decisions and action, that gives coherence to life, that weaves past, present, and future together in continuity that shapes patterns of behavior in relation to the common and uncommon challenges of life (Simmons, 1998). For nurses to truly appreciate the tapestry of an older adult’s life, they must understand the unique sources of meaning that contribute to that tapestry.

Design: A qualitative narrative approach was used to interview older adults to address the research question: "What is meaning in life as experienced by older adults?"

Population: Eleven older adults over the age of sixty five were selected from community and assisted living environments as participants for this study.

Method: Data were collected by a three member research team through in-depth interviews. The research team conducted a process of team reflection and analysis about their own understandings of meaning and aging as preparatory work. Individual and research group analyses were conducted to identify themes across the research interviews.

Findings: Six themes were generated across the data and were situated in a philosophy for living that centered around engaging in life.

Conclusions: To have sense of meaning and purpose for living provides opportunities for older persons to find meaning in day to day experiences and to transcend difficult life experiences.

Implications: To have a sense of purpose and meaning in life as one ages does not necessarily depend on having "health and wealth". It is imperative that nurses develop an understanding of what facilitates meaning in life for older persons despite the circumstances they are experiencing. Further, the role of hope in helping to provide meaning needs to be examined.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
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