ERIC Number: EJ813363
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0091-4150
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Available Date: N/A
Embracing Opposites: Meanings of Growing Old as Narrated by People Aged 85
Fischer, Regina Santamaki; Norberg, Astrid; Lundman, Berit
International Journal of Aging and Human Development, v67 n3 p259-271 2008
Many old people suffer from prolonged and multiple bodily ailments, new diseases, and increased risk for disadvantages and losses in life. Aging also means becoming mature and wise. This study illuminates the meaning of the lived experience with respect to changes in late life. Using a phenomenological hermeneutic method, this study analyzes transcribed interviews of 15 85-year-old people. Four themes were formulated: "embracing weakness and strength," "embracing slowness and swiftness of time," "embracing reconciliation and regret," and "embracing connectedness and loneliness." From these analyses, growing old was described as--"maintaining one's identity in spite of the changes that come with aging and, embracing opposites--being changed and feeling being the same."
Descriptors: Hermeneutics, Older Adults, Interviews, Aging (Individuals), Time, Psychological Patterns, Attitudes, Risk, Diseases, Physical Health, Personal Narratives, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
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