The Experience and Coping Process of Elders with Functional Decline: Preliminary Results
Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology
Contact:
Hui-Tzu Huang, MSN, MS, RN
Lecturer, School of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
Mailing address: No 89, Wunhua 1st street., Rende Township, Tainan County 71703. Telephone number: +886-6-2674567 ext. 508 E-mail address: luck@mail.hwai.edu.tw
Functional decline is considered one of the major complications of the hospitalized elderly patients. It contributes to a loss of independence and self-esteem, worsening lifestyle and deteriorating quality of life. Their psychological impact are necessary to be addressed and identified in order to promote their quality of life while after discharge with functional decline.
Hui-Tzu Huang ab , Yueh-Ping Li a , Yen-Chun Lin ac , Ching-Huey Chen ad
a Institute of Allied Health Science, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University
b Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
c
Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan
d
Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
AIM
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Research design
This study based on grounded theory by using a semi-structured interview guideline.
Data collection
Purposive sampling
Using a semi-structured interview guideline In-depth interviews
Participants
The inclusion criteria were:
(1)sixty five and over, had functional decline in activity of daily within one year< (2)had clear conscious, (3) could speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, (4) non living in a nursing care institution, (5) no history of psychiatry diseases.
Data analysis
Content analysis
Ethical considerations
This study was approved by the ethic committee of the medical center.
The purpose of this study was to explore the experience and coping process of elders with functional decline in their activities of daily living (ADL).
METHODS
Two female and one male with mean age of 78 were involved in this preliminary study. Barthel Index Assessment showed their score of ADL ranged from 85 to 90. Six main themes of the experience and coping process emerged in the preliminary findings (Table 1).
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the three elders.
Table 1 The experience and coping process of elders with functional decline
CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The study found that the elders with functional
decline accompanied various negative effects physically or psychologically. For adjusting the functional decline, the elders adopted various methods to solve their problems and readjusted their lives.
Before providing care and resources for those elderly, health caregivers have to understand what problems the elders may experience and what coping strategies they apply.
The findings provide a reference for follow-up care in elders with functional decline. The study has been keeping to recruit elders until the data analysis are saturated.
National Cheng Kung University
Themes Categories
Suffering from physical discomfort
Pain
Discomfort
Seeking treatment Dr shopping Obey orders
Being limited in daily living Limited for mobilization Limited for socialization
Adjusting living style Adjust living environment Using alternative method Call for help
Adjusting personal feeling Endure personal feeling Don’t want to burden with others
Reconstructing the life belief
Destiny arrangement Hopeless
