Leisure and the older black woman

Loneliness among Elderly People: Can Food and Meals Change this Situation?

In a relationship, it is natural that one person lives longer than the other, leading to many challenges, including the possibility of loneliness. This article focuses on how food and meals can help reduce loneliness among the elderly. There are many reasons for loneliness or emptiness, including being a widow or a widower, illness, and poverty. As the number of elderly people is greatly increasing in all welfare states, meals are an important function that should be maintained throughout life. This study used CurroCus® group interviews, or fast focus groups. Nine CurroCus® groups were conducted, lasting for 37–56 min (average = 45 min). Altogether, 76 persons participated, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years; participants were predominantly female (> 80%). The collected empirical data were recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo 11.0. Interviews were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The main findings of this article fall into two main categories: togetherness and life action. Based on the interpretation of respondents’ answers, elderly people make both conscious and unconscious choices that help reduce loneliness. They also gather around food and meals to experience more togetherness. In future research, loneliness strategies carried out unknowingly should be investigated more closely. In addition, elderly participants should self-report on meal activities throughout the day.

A review of research on religious and spiritual variables in two primary gerontological nursing journals: 1991 to 1997

All articles published between 1991 and 1997 in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing and Geriatric Nursing were classified as qualitative research, quantitative research, or non-research. Of the 784 articles reviewed, 5.1% mentioned religion or spirituality. Research articles (7.7%) were more likely than non-research articles (2.8%) to address religion and spirituality. No statistical difference was found between the percentage of qualitative (10.7%) and quantitative (6.8%) studies addressing religious and spiritual factors. The percentage of quantitative studies including religious and spiritual variables was found to be higher than that found by systematic reviews of the research literature in various health professions.

The meaning of leisure

Although leisure plays a significant role in older adults' lives, little is known about the meaning of leisure for this population. Thus, the purpose of this grounded theory study was to conceptualize the meaning of leisure for older adults in a continuing care retirement community. Theoretical sampling included 40 retirement home residents of Dutch heritage living in a suburban, midwestern area of the United States. Data collection consisted of participant observation and intensive interviews, and data analysis involved constant comparison method. This method facilitated development of a conceptual model of authoring leisure. The model of authoring leisure highlights older adults' definition of leisure, strategies used to author leisure, and the consequence of authoring leisure. The resulting conceptual refinement of leisure facilitates validation of leisure-related nursing diagnoses and provides empirically based knowledge for gerontological nursing practice.