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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Experiences of loneliness among the very old
— the Umeå 85+ project | | Author(s) | Ulla H Graneheim, Berit Lundman |
| Journal title | Aging & Mental Health, vol 14, no 4, May 2010 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis, May 2010 |
| Pages | pp 433-438 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Octogenarians ; Nonagenarians ; Centenarians ; Loneliness ; Living alone ; Qualitative Studies ; Sweden. |
| Annotation | This study aims to elucidate experiences of loneliness among the very old, who live alone. Twenty-three women and seven men, aged 85-103 years, were interviewed about their experiences of loneliness. The text was subjected to qualitative content analysis. The descriptions of loneliness were twofold: on the one hand, living with losses and feeling abandoned represented the limitations imposed by loneliness; and on the other, living in confidence and feeling free represented the opportunities of loneliness. The findings indicate that experiences of loneliness among the very old are complex, and concern their relationships in the past, the present, and the future. Experiences of loneliness among the very old can be devastating or enriching, depending upon life circumstances and outlook on life and death. The authors interpreted these two aspects of loneliness as feelings of homelessness and at-homeness. (KJ/RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-100827219 A |
| Classmark | BBM: BBR: BBT: DV: K8: 3DP: 76P |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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