Older people living with chronic illness

This study aimed to gain a better understanding of what it is like for older people to live with chronic illness. A Phenomenological method was used. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit older people with chronic illness from one community in Nakhonratchasima province, Thailand. Semi-structured interview guides were used to explore the participants' experiences and perceptions. Data saturation was reached after 30 interviews were completed. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: 1) living a restricted life, 2) feeling overwhelmed, 3) understanding and accepting loss, and 4) being kind to oneself and learning to live with the disease. The findings may increase understanding about what older people with chronic illness experience. Health care providers can use this understanding to relate health care and guidance to their patients by incorporating cultural influences and religious/spiritual beliefs into the standardized care for this population.