Loss and Loneliness: Audrey's Story

Loneliness is a concept recently capturing the attention of nursing and other healthcare professionals due to its unfavorable effects on health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to convey the story of one widow named Audrey (pseudonym) and to describe her experiences of profound loneliness. Narratives from this single case study are reported as part of a larger qualitative, phenomenological study on loneliness in community-dwelling older adults. Findings from Audrey's story reveal intense periods of loneliness, longing and loss primarily resulting from the death of her spouse. Excerpts from these narratives uncover Audrey's coping strategies for loneliness, which included watching television, telephoning her children, reading the paper, and finding comfort in her faith. Audrey's story is essential for all home healthcare professionals to understand, as it illustrates the powerful impact of loneliness on the quality of life and health of an older adult.