Yalnız Yaşayan Yaşlıların Yaşlılık Algıları, Yaşam Deneyimleri ve Gereksinimleri

Abstract

The problem of this study is the lack of sufficient number of studies revealing that the older adults living alone have different problems and needs compared to the older adults living with their families and in institutional care, that they are more disadvantaged, but that there are no services to overcome these disadvantages, and that the current policy and social services for this population group are insufficient. With the present study, it is aimed to explore the old age perceptions, reasons of living alone, daily routines, and evaluations of the relationships of older adults living alone have and to identify their needs based on their life experiences and to offer policies and social service recommendations to meet these needs. The phenomenological approach was used in this study, which was carried out with the qualitative research method. The participants of the study were determined by purposeful sampling. Within the scope of the present study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 older adults living alone with different sociodemographic characteristics residing in Ankara. Using the inductive thematic analysis technique, the MAXQDA Plus 2020 package program was used in the analysis process and five themes were reached. The research findings are presented under five themes: "Evaluations Regarding Aging", "Ideas About Living Alone", "Everyday Life Experiences", "Relationships" and "Policy Suggestions". It has been understood that the older adults living alone have a very high motivation to live alone despite their disadvantages, they are exposed to social isolation and loneliness, and they need support at many points in their daily life cycle. In addition, it has been revealed that sociodemographic characteristics, in other words, social, cultural and economic capital, affect the experiences of living alone. Therefore, the older adults living alone are not a homogeneous group in themselves. As a result of the research, suggestions have been developed to eliminate the disadvantages of the older adults living alone to reduce the loneliness they are exposed to and to help meet the needs that differ according to their sociodemographic characteristics.