The experience of aging: a phenomenological perspective

Authors

  • Maria da Graça da Silva Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Magali Roseira Boemer Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000300016

Keywords:

nursing, aging, aged

Abstract

This qualitative study with a phenomenological approach looked at elderly people (60 years of age or more) who attend two Elderly Community Centers located in a state capital in Central-Western Brazil. The goal was to understand the experience of aging through the experience of people who are aging and its meaning for nursing practice. Phenomenological interview resources were used, with the following guiding question: "What is it like to reach this age? To live so many years?" The results showed that these people's main concerns are: to show that they do not lose their identity because they age and that, sometimes, in spite of their chronological age, they do not feel aged; they expect acknowledgement as citizens; they reinforce that being healthy is essential and grants them autonomy in their lives; they emphasize the importance of family support, life and care; they value financial independence and avoid talking about the finite nature of human beings.

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Published

2009-06-01

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2009)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

The experience of aging: a phenomenological perspective. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(3), 380-386. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000300016