Viewpoints of the Elderly Living in the Nursing Home about Health: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: Health can have a meaning for any individual and its issues can affect all areas of life. Understanding the meaning of health and disease, especially in the elderly, as a vulnerable group will be an introduction to more realistic planning based on existing facts and patients' expectations. The purpose of this study was to determine the elderly's viewpoint on health in the elderly. Materials and Method: This study is a qualitative research of hermeneutic phenomenology based on Van Mann method. 16 elderly people were selected through purposeful sampling from the nursing home and were interviewed in-depth. Interviews were recorded with the permission of the seniors and analyzed based on Max Van Manen's research activities after they had been transcribed and gained a comprehensive understanding of them. In this study, the validity of qualitative findings was evaluated on the basis of reliability, validity, reliability and transferability criteria. Results: The findings of the study revealed four themes: physical and mental health, spiritual well-being and religious practice, satisfaction with self and family, and independence in daily activities. Conclusion: Given that health in the elderly is a mental concept, and not just the presence of symptoms and illnesses, It is possible that as the culture of the sense of wellbeing changes from the perspective of the elderly in that community, it is necessary to explain the meaning of health in every elderly community in order to better plan and promote the well-being of these vulnerable groups in the community.