Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2016
EDTF Date Created
2016
Description
The growing older adult population, their age-related morbidities, and lifelimiting
chronic illnesses increase the demand for quality yet cost-effective end of life
(EOL) care. Losing a loved one creates emotional turmoil, heightened uneasiness, and
EOL uncertainties for family members. Understanding the complex needs of family
members and supportive actions deemed most significant to them can guide nurses to
enhance EOL care, encouraging palliation and peaceful death experiences. This study
used a qualitative descriptive exploratory design guided by story theory methodology to
explore the dimensions of the health challenge of losing a loved one who had been in an
acute care setting during the last three months of life, the approaches used to resolve this
health challenge, and turning points that prompted decisions about a loved one’s care
with 15 older adults residing in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in
Southeast Florida. Theoretical grounding for this study was Watson’s (1988, 2002)
theory of human caring and Smith and Liehr’s (2014) story theory. Older adults’ stories
were analyzed through theory-guided content analysis. Themes that describe the health challenge include moving from painful holding on to poignant letting go, uneasiness that
permeates everyday living and precious memories, patterns of disconnect that breed
discontent, and pervasive ambiguity that permeates perspectives about remaining time.
Approaches to resolve this challenge include active engagement enabling exceptional
care for loved ones, appreciating the rhythmic flow of everyday connecting and
separating to get by, and embracing reality as situated in one’s lifelong journey. Failure to
establish normalcy, coming to grips with abrupt health decline/demise, and recognition –
there’s nothing more to do – were the turning points identified by CCRC residents. Older
adults’ vivid recollections of losing a loved one and willingness to share EOL concerns as
well as recommendations regarding support of family members who are facing this
challenge serve as invaluable guidance for improving EOL care for dying patients and
their family members.
chronic illnesses increase the demand for quality yet cost-effective end of life
(EOL) care. Losing a loved one creates emotional turmoil, heightened uneasiness, and
EOL uncertainties for family members. Understanding the complex needs of family
members and supportive actions deemed most significant to them can guide nurses to
enhance EOL care, encouraging palliation and peaceful death experiences. This study
used a qualitative descriptive exploratory design guided by story theory methodology to
explore the dimensions of the health challenge of losing a loved one who had been in an
acute care setting during the last three months of life, the approaches used to resolve this
health challenge, and turning points that prompted decisions about a loved one’s care
with 15 older adults residing in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in
Southeast Florida. Theoretical grounding for this study was Watson’s (1988, 2002)
theory of human caring and Smith and Liehr’s (2014) story theory. Older adults’ stories
were analyzed through theory-guided content analysis. Themes that describe the health challenge include moving from painful holding on to poignant letting go, uneasiness that
permeates everyday living and precious memories, patterns of disconnect that breed
discontent, and pervasive ambiguity that permeates perspectives about remaining time.
Approaches to resolve this challenge include active engagement enabling exceptional
care for loved ones, appreciating the rhythmic flow of everyday connecting and
separating to get by, and embracing reality as situated in one’s lifelong journey. Failure to
establish normalcy, coming to grips with abrupt health decline/demise, and recognition –
there’s nothing more to do – were the turning points identified by CCRC residents. Older
adults’ vivid recollections of losing a loved one and willingness to share EOL concerns as
well as recommendations regarding support of family members who are facing this
challenge serve as invaluable guidance for improving EOL care for dying patients and
their family members.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
222 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00004635
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Date Backup
2016
Date Created Backup
2016
Date Text
2016
Date Created (EDTF)
2016
Date Issued (EDTF)
2016
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00004635
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Person Preferred Name
Sopcheck, Janet
author
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
222 p.
Title Plain
Health Challenges of Family Members in End of Life Situations
Use and Reproduction
Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Origin Information
2016
2016
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
Health Challenges of Family Members in End of Life Situations
Other Title Info
Health Challenges of Family Members in End of Life Situations