Geriatrics Gerontology & Palliative Nursing

Aim: To explore the perceptions, perspectives and meaning of quality of life for a theoretical sample of older residents, care staff and family caregivers in nursing homes in Lebanon.

 

Background: To date, little is known about the quality of life and its meanings from middle-Eastern perspective and context. There is also limited knowledge about the care experience of older people living in nursing homes in the Lebanon.

 

Method: A classic grounded theory study was conducted between 2010-2011 in two nursing homes situated in Beirut. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with a theoretical sample of 20 residents, 8 family caregivers and 11 nursing home staff. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method.

 

Findings: Constant comparative analysis of data led to the emergence of the core category of “relating” and the linking scheme of “maintaining interrelationships” which comprised of three distinct, but interrelated, basic social processes: ‘maintaining self ’, ‘maintaining identity’ and ‘maintaining continuity’. The dynamics that exists within and between each of these grounded theory processes provides an indicator about the meaning of quality of life for older residents living in such an environment.

Figure 1: Maintaining Self: An Heuristic Outlining Older  
                   Residents’ Perceptions of Quality of Life

 

Conclusion: This study has made an important contribution to the literature particularly in recognising the role of “relating” and “maintaining interrelationships” in enhancing quality of life in nursing homes in the Lebanon. The contribution of the substantive grounded theory emerging from this study is not solely restricted to helping interpret the everyday experience of quality of life, but also includes implications for policy and practice.