Meaning in Life for Socially Frail Older Adults

Abstract

Being connected with others is fundamental for the experience of a meaningful life.Unfortunately, several older adults have poor networks / social support. The present study focuses on the experience of meaning in life as well as the loss of meaning for socially frail older adults. Results indicate that socially frail older adults experience meaning in life in different dimensions. The article argues that home-care organizations and prevention programs aimed at reducing frailty are encouraged to include evaluations of meaning in life. There is a need for meaningful activities in organizations that ameliorate social connectedness for community-dwelling older adults.

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

“…The literature reiterates that smart technology helps older people socially connect, positively benefit their well-being, self-rated health, and mental health (Lewnard & Lo, 2020). Being connected with others is critical to the experience of meaning in life, but older adults often have poor social networks (Duppen Rn et al, 2019). The most-used technology to achieve social engagement were social networks, but also emerging technologies, such as virtual or augmented reality applications and virtual assistants that make use of artificial intelligence for social connectedness (Lewnard & Lo, 2020).…”

“…Planning public health resources, expertise and intervention programmes that aim to reduce frailty and social isolation should include assessments of meaning in life among older adults, and the attitudes of older individuals regarding technology. Moreover, there is a need for meaningful activities that improve health and well-being of older adults in the community (Duppen Rn et al, 2019).…”

Care for frail older adults in the community: an integrative review

“…Explore the experience of meaning in life, as well as the loss of meaning for socially frail older adults 30 . Analyze the explanatory power of the variables that measure health strengthening factors for self-rated health among frail older adults living in the community 4 .…”

“…Social and community life is expressed as a possibility for compensating for losses 42 . Likewise, social ties with family members, neighbors, caregivers, local authorities emerge as an important source of meaning 30 . The social roles played by older adults and their social networks change over time, with frail older adults tending to maintain a small network because of the difficulty of establishing a new network due to frailty and being selective in the search for relationships 30 .…”

“…The meanings of life for frail older adults may still be within the scope of their different needs. In the light of Derkx's theoretical model, the needs for the frail older person were: to continue their daily activities, to have a purpose for the future, to pursue hobbies, to maintain a connection with their children and grandchildren; to evaluate their way of life as morally worthy; to maintain the level of control and autonomy in their lives; to value themselves, to be recognized and respected by others; to realize the continuity of their identity; to maintain a connection to relatives and friends as a support to others despite being frail, or a connection in the spiritual realm; feelings of excitement through transcendence via art, culture, nature and the events of life 30 . Thus, the loss or scarcity of meaning manifests itself as a result of aging or a restricted connection network, which may occur due to a lack of purpose, coherence or connection, thus, the importance of the social environment is evident in maintaining the meaning of life 30 .…”