Phenomenology and the meaning of lived experience: anticipating falling
- Authors:
- SHAW J.A., CONNELLY D.M., McWILLIAM C.L.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 22(2), April 2012, Online only
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine older adults living independently in the community to explore the meaning of the experience of anticipating falling from a hermeneutic perspective (focusing on interpretation). The findings suggest that maintaining a sense of personal identity is of the utmost importance for older people. Participants in the study found a balance between physical “safety” through efforts to prevent falls and portraying self-image in order to enable themselves to continually strive for quality of life. Service providers need to understand that some risk taking is likely in order to maintain a sense of identity and quality of life. The study aimed to provide insight into the psycho-social considerations that should be considered when delivering fall prevention services to older adults.
- Subject terms:
- older people, quality of life, risk, self-concept, attitudes, falls;
- Content type:
- research
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Open access journal
Journal home page - ISSN print:
- 0965-2000