[Perception of autonomy in the elderly who live with a family member]

In gerontological research and practice, autonomy is a phenomenon of central interest. Numerous researchers have considered autonomy as an elder's problem to be defined and resolved, and have studied the phenomenon from the psychological, sociological, or another discipline's perspective. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of autonomy as lived by 80 plus elders who share a household with a family member. Parse's human becoming theory oriented the nursing perspective to the study of autonomy toward the meanings of autonomy given by older persons within the rhythmicity of interpersonal relationships. The analysis of data for four women participants revealed the phenomenon essential themes as being able, still being someone, and chosen beyond changes. These themes are linked to the principle of cotranscendence from the human becoming theory: being able reveals the dynamic potential of each participant who, through their relationships, creates an original way of being still someone, and of choosing beyond life changes. Implications for nursing practice are discussed.