Gerotranscendence as a Life Perspective Among Nursing Home Residents: A Qualitative Study Into Positive Ageing While Dependent on 24/7 Care.

AIMS

To examine whether and how older nursing home residents recognise characteristics of gerotranscendence, and to contribute to a critical and comprehensive view of gerotranscendence in this particular group.

BACKGROUND

Gerotranscendence is a psychosocial, spiritual development theory within the field of positive ageing that represents: a shift in meta-perspective, from a materialistic and rational vision to a cosmic and transcendent life perspective, followed by an increase in life satisfaction.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using a narrative hermeneutical approach.

METHODS

Participants were 20 residents of a nursing home in the Netherlands, aged 77 to 105 (mean age: 90). The semi-structured interviews, conducted in April 2023, were based on Tornstam's 10-item Gerotranscendence Scale. Special attention was paid to the technique of interviewing these frail, older adults, some of them diagnosed with dementia.

FINDINGS

All respondents recognised several characteristics of gerotranscendence, or signs of it emerged from the research data. There is a larger middle group with respondents who call themselves 'down-to-earth'. They mainly recognise the relational characteristics. Another group appears to be more contemplative and shows more affinity with the abstract, cosmic characteristics. They have developed a gerotranscendent wisdom: there is insight, contextualism and relativism, peace of mind, room for life's paradoxes, a high degree of (self-)acceptance and an ability to 'let go'. The data show considerable heterogeneity in thoughts, perspectives and degrees of gerotranscendence.

DISCUSSION

Respondents found some questions difficult to answer, resulting in a critical assessment of how to understand the responses given. This puts pressure on data quality for this current study and for critical gerotranscendence research in general. Furthermore, interviewing older nursing home residents requires a custom setting and possibly a new interview methodology.

REPORTING METHOD

This report adheres to the standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.