Lived Experience of Older Women Caring for Frail Dependent Elderly Spouses

Main Article Content

Pantamon Suparee
Jiraporn Kespichayawattana

Abstract

This research aimed to study the lived experience of older women caring for a frail, dependent elderly spouse using the qualitative research method and phenomenology of Martin Heidegger. The key informants were 14 older women who were the main caregivers of a frail, dependent elderly spouse, selected through the purposive sampling method. The data were collected through an in-depth interview, observation, notes, and tape recordings. The data were then transcribed using verbatim transcription and analyzed using content analysis. The results indicated that the meanings of being a caregiver to a frail, dependent elderly spouse provided by the informants could be divided into two points: 1) taking care with deep connection and 2) taking care because they had been through difficulties together. It was also found that the experience of older women caring for a frail, dependent elderly spouse could be categorized into three themes, which were 1) life changed, 2) acceptance and learning of being caregivers, and 3) being a caregiver in the context of being a wife. The findings of this study could lead to an understanding of lived experiences of older women caring for a frail, dependent elderly spouse and serve as guidelines to help wives who take care of a frail, dependent elderly spouse for efficient care.
Keywords: Lived experience, Older women, Dependent, Elderly spouse

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Suparee P, Kespichayawattana J. Lived Experience of Older Women Caring for Frail Dependent Elderly Spouses. Nurs Res Inno J [Internet]. 2022 Aug. 23 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];28(2). Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RNJ/article/view/249070
Section
บทความวิจัย

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