Older Persons’ Experiences of Depressive Ill-Health and Family Support
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore experiences of the meaning of family support among older persons with depressive illhealth.
Data were collected from twenty-nine participants through semistructured interviews and analysed using interpretative
hermeneutic and reflective methodology. The findings revealed a main theme, hovering between feelings of belongingness and
aloneness in relationships with family members, based on two themes: a sense of being worthy and a sense of being unworthy.
Experiences of support and lack of support from family members were not opposites but connected in internal relationships and
can be pictured as a movement on a continuum of ambiguity. Family support promotes the emotional needs of older persons with
depressive ill-health to be confirmed. The family plays a vital role, not always by direct assistance, but indirectly by supporting the
older person’s own “guiding principles” for managing her/his situation. The feelings of aloneness as well as shame and guilt at poor
or absent family responsiveness should be adequately addressed. Innovative nursing care can lead to improvement by focusing on
acquiescence to the older person’s life situation