To grow old with dignity and comfort : a qualitative study to explore old age people's perspective on living a healthy and independent life in greater Male' city / Aishath Nazra

Abstract

Every individual in this world go through the stages of life as young, adults and older adults. Out of these three stages, the older adult phase is most challenging due to the deterioration of physical health Often older adults perceive aging as a negative aspect that gives rise to limitations on their independence they have been maintaining throughout their lives. Although research found out that many older adults age successfully regardless of their clinical health situation, this is only a personal perspective as 'aging' is perceived and accepted by different individuals differently (Levy, 2003). This qualitative study identifies through its analysis that there are many factors that affect an older adult's perspective on living a healthy and independent life in the city of Male, Maldives. A total of 08 participants from the city of Male were interviewed for this study. Interviews were carried out through audio and video recording and the same were written out for documentation purpose. Thematic analysis of the study identified seven themes: the disconnection between objective and subjective standing of their health, level of perceived dependency, level of perceived social interaction, level of control over future decision making, limitations on daily activities, level of resilience when coping with physical and mental well-being and support systems that impact the current and future status of health were factors that affected an older adult's perspective on growing old in the city of Male, Maldives. These were more or less the same factors Lyons (2009) developed in his study that identified the psychological perceptions of growing old that included decline in physical health, loss of pleasures and purpose in life and social rejections. The results of the analysis indicated that whilst health aspect had a great impact over aging, other environmental and health support factors that are provided and dedicated towards elders happen to minimize the negative perspective of aging, although social interaction and limitations on engaging with society seem to be limited.