Abstract
The Experience and Coping Process of Community Dwelling Elders with Functional Decline: Preliminary Results
Hui-Tzu Huanga, Yueh-Ping Lib, Yen-Chun Linc, Ching-Huey Chend
a Institute of Allied Health Science, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University and Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
b Institute of Allied Health Science, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, , Tainan, Taiwan
c. Institute of Allied Health Science, College of Medicine and Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan
d. Institute of Allied Health Science, College of Medicine and Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Corresponding author: Ching-Huey Chen
N o . 1 , T a - H s u e h R d . , T a i n a n 7 0 1 0 1 , T a i w a n , R O C . sugar@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Purpose of the Study
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
This study based on grounded theory by using a semi-structured interview guideline. Each subject was recruited by purposive sampling. 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 write or speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, (4) non living in an nursing care institution, (5) no history of psychiatry diseases. Each interview was lasted approximately 90 minutes and recorded by audio taped. Data collection and data analysis were conducted simultaneously. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Subjects Committee of a Medical center in Taiwan.
Results
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. They are: “suffering from physical discomfort”,
“seeking treatment”, “being limited in daily living”, “adjusting living style”, “adjusting personal feeling”, and “reconstructing the life belief”. Finally, a conceptual framework was developed to describe and depict this phenomenon.
Conclusion
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.
Keywords: elders, daily living activity, functional decline, grounded theory
