Although societal changes such as solitary living and growing urbanization suggest a changing trend in loneliness, we found that the prevalence of loneliness was relatively stable in this study. Nevertheless, loneliness is common among the oldest old and a focus on social issues related to living arrangements and on depressive symptoms is important in understanding loneliness.

Background Due to physical impairments and functional limitations, older adults receiving home care can be considered especially vulnerable to loneliness. To understand how society can provide support that enhances vulnerable individuals’ quality of life, it is important to explore loneliness and its underlying causes in older adults. Aims To contribute to a deeper understanding of caring science theory, the aim of this study was to use a caring science perspective to explore and understand experiences of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care. The research questions are as follows: What phenomena are associated with the experience of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care? How can this experience be understood? Methodology A hermeneutical approach was used. The material was collected through interviews with 17 older adults about their quality of life, including their experiences of loneliness. The texts were interpreted through latent content analysis. Findings The findings resulted in one main category and three subcategories. The main category was as follows: Being homeless in life–loneliness expressed and primarily stemming from existential suffering. The subcategories were as follows: Loss of communion with one's partner or other loved ones, Loss of meaningful social activities due to isolation and Loss of health due to frailty and vulnerability. All categories were described and implications for practice discussed. Conclusion This study contributes to an understanding of experiences of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care, with relevance for the healthcare context as well as for what a community or society should focus on when addressing these important issues.

No abstract

Morale seemed to be mainly stable in a five-year follow-up of very old people. It seems, nonetheless, that individuals are affected by negative life events, regardless of level of morale. Preventing negative life events and supporting individuals who experience multiple negative life events could have important implications for the care of very old people.