TY - JOUR
T1 - Preparing for a paradigm shift in aging populations
T2 - listen to the oldest old
AU - Komatsu, Hiroko
AU - Yagasaki, Kaori
AU - Kida, Hisashi
AU - Eguchi, Yoko
AU - Niimura, Hidehito
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by a research grant from Keio SFC Academic Society.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Purpose: Current healthcare systems are not suitable for serving future societies in which the oldest old are commonplace. The objective of this study was to understand what the oldest old care most about in their daily lives. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews and thematic analysis were used. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 17 elderly residents (≥ 95 years) of Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan from July to November 2017. Results: Three themes emerged from the interview responses: “unshakable beliefs and social ties,” “natural acceptance,” and “my day-to-day life with precious moments.” The oldest old strongly believe in diligence and compassion and maintain strong relationships with people around them. Despite their small social networks, they are concerned about future society. They accept their selves and their lives, including their impending deaths. Despite their functional decline, they control their lives by making very small decisions. They live on a moment-to-moment basis, cherishing simple events. Conclusion: Maintaining autonomy through making small decisions and enjoying small pleasures are important to the oldest old. Understanding the needs of the oldest old is the first step towards developing optimal geriatric care for an aging population.
AB - Purpose: Current healthcare systems are not suitable for serving future societies in which the oldest old are commonplace. The objective of this study was to understand what the oldest old care most about in their daily lives. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews and thematic analysis were used. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 17 elderly residents (≥ 95 years) of Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan from July to November 2017. Results: Three themes emerged from the interview responses: “unshakable beliefs and social ties,” “natural acceptance,” and “my day-to-day life with precious moments.” The oldest old strongly believe in diligence and compassion and maintain strong relationships with people around them. Despite their small social networks, they are concerned about future society. They accept their selves and their lives, including their impending deaths. Despite their functional decline, they control their lives by making very small decisions. They live on a moment-to-moment basis, cherishing simple events. Conclusion: Maintaining autonomy through making small decisions and enjoying small pleasures are important to the oldest old. Understanding the needs of the oldest old is the first step towards developing optimal geriatric care for an aging population.
KW - Oldest old
KW - aging
KW - centenarians
KW - geriatric care
KW - qualitative research
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U2 - 10.1080/17482631.2018.1511768
DO - 10.1080/17482631.2018.1511768
M3 - Article
C2 - 30157720
AN - SCOPUS:85052894769
SN - 1748-2623
VL - 13
JO - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
JF - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
IS - 1
M1 - 1511768
ER -
