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Aging and meaning in life: examining the concept
S L Moore1, B Metcalf, E Schow
1Calgary Conjoint Nursing Program, Centre for Health Studies, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|February 19, 2000
Summary
Older adults find meaning in life, which is crucial for well-being. Understanding how seniors experience meaning offers insights into joy, hope, and coping with life
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Human beings inherently seek meaning to understand their existence.
- Meaning is a significant factor in health and well-being, particularly in later life.
- Older adults' experiences of meaning are vital for understanding psychological resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how older adults experience meaning in their lives.
- To investigate the role of meaning in the lives of seniors.
- To gain insights into the human experiences of joy and hope in later life.
Main Methods:
- Initiated with an intensive literature search on meaning in later life.
- Employed a qualitative research approach.
- Focused on understanding the lived experiences of older individuals.
Main Results:
- Older adults actively seek meaning to navigate life's challenges and calm periods.
- Meaning is strongly correlated with health and well-being in the elderly population.
- Studying seniors' perspectives on meaning provides valuable data on human resilience.
Conclusions:
- Understanding how older people find meaning can illuminate pathways to enhanced well-being.
- The search for meaning is a fundamental aspect of the human experience across the lifespan.
- Insights from older adults' experiences can inform interventions promoting joy, hope, and adaptive coping strategies.