Fatigue has been reported to be one of the most common complaints among community-dwelling older adults. However, there is a lack of qualitative research o
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A phenomenological study of fatigue experience in community-dwelling older adults
BMC Geriatrics
A phenomenological study of fatigue experience in community-dwelling older adults
Background
Fatigue has been reported to be one of the most common complaints among community-dwelling older adults. However, there is a lack of qualitative research on the experience of fatigue among community-dwelling older adults.
Objective
The aim of this study was to provide an in depth analysis of the fatigue experience of community-dwelling older adults through a phenomenological research approach in qualitative research.
Methods
Thirteen older adults with fatigue experiences were selected from the community using purposive sampling with snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews about participants' fatigue experiences. The interviews were analysed for qualitative content using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis.
Results
Four themes and 20 sub-themes were extracted from the fatigue experience of the elderly in the community: perception of fatigue (fatigue deprivation, fatigue is ignored, fatigue difficult to subside, and fatigue aggravation), psychology of fatigue (stress and anxiety, frustration and loss, self-reproach and helplessness, impatience and distraction, loneliness, aspirations and expectations), influence of fatigue (influence on independence, influence on motivation, influence on appetite, influence on household work, and influence on socialization), and coping with fatigue (negative coping and self-suffering, self-psychological guidance and maintaining optimism, lifestyle adjustments and physical adaptation, seeking external help and maintaining positive socialization).
Conclusion
This study tapped into the fatigue experience of community-dwelling older adults through a phenomenological research approach in qualitative research. It was found that fatigue is an important issue that cannot be ignored in the lives of community-dwelling older adults. And that fatigue influences the quality of life in old age from multiple dimensions, with older adults' perceptions of fatigue determining their attitudes toward fatigue management. The importance of fatigue in the family and society and the ability to guide older adults to cope with fatigue need to be improved. This finding suggests that researchers, community health workers, and healthcare professionals should pay more attention to fatigue among older adults. They need to provide timely and effective assessments and support to help older adults better manage fatigue. Thereby empowering them to maintain their functional ability and well-being, which are core to healthy aging.
