The lived experience of aging in the Korean elders / 성인간호학회지

ABSTRACT

This Qualitative nursing research used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to discover meaning in an aging experience. The ultimate aim of the inquiry was to discover the essence of aging experience and to promote understanding. The study used Van Manen's methodology of phenomenological research. Multiple strategies for data collecting were utilized : in depth face-to-face interview & analysis of elder's literature. The following themes of experience emerged : changing of physical shape, being expelled out in the field of life, reformationing of family relationship, rhythmical patterning of life & death, developing of reflective self-consciousness, awareness of self-expansion creatively. From this study essential themes for understanding aging experience, need for continuing inquiry were identified.