노인요양시설에 대한 한국노인의 인식

Abstract

This study attempted to understand the perceptions of nursing homes from the perspective of the elderly, explores the themes of these perceptions, and provides supporting evidence for developing nursing interventions that focus on the subjects of care within the nursing homes. Furthermore, the goal of the study was to provide directions for necessary changes to nursing homes so they can provide more appropriate care and support for residents, as well as enhancing the level of understanding among younger generations about the elderlies’ perceptions of nursing homes. This study was based on qualitative research using phenomenological methodology. The research participants were elderly people between the ages of 67 and 83 living at home in Jeonnam Province, Jeonbuk Province, and G City. The data collection methodologies were in-depth interviews and participant observations. The interviews, conducted 2 to 4 times, lasted from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The data collection and analyses were carried out simultaneously; the Colaizzi (1978) methodology was adopted for the data analysis. All significant statements about the Korean elderly's perceptions of nursing homes were classified into 3 categories, 9 major themes, and 23 minor themes. The three observed categories for the Korean elderly's perceptions of nursing homes were: ‘a place they do not like to be in’, ‘a place they have to be in’, and ‘a place that makes them feel fortunate that they have a place to go’. The phenomenological writing on the basic structure is as follows. Nursing homes are places of abandonment. They are places where the people can no longer be with their children and hence a stranger’s place where elderly people are abandoned. Once admitted to a nursing home, one’s health will deteriorate because of the loss of freedom, the restrictions on going out, and the policies that maintain order for the residents. A nursing home is simply a place to be whilst one’s life lasts; and, as it is the final place of residence before death, it is a place where people do not like to be. The nursing home, however, is also a place where elderly people have to be. It prevents one from becoming burden to one's children, and it avoids any hardship that children may experience while supporting their elderly parents. Nursing homes, therefore, the are places where they have to go to. The children are likely to feel pressured; and, since the decision to move the parent to the nursing home is emotionally difficult, it must be made by the elderly themselves. Managing the relationship with the daughter-in-law (son’s wife) in the family home is typically and especially difficult. A nursing home is: a place to go when you are ill without anyone to take care of you, a place to go when your children want you to, or a place to go as you are unlikely to be able to resist pressure from your children. The society of today is very different from traditional Korean society in that family culture has shifted. Perceiving that the elderly are generally not welcome within society, the elderly have had to adapt themselves to this change in society. Nursing homes, however, are places that can help elderly people to feel fortunate that they have a place to which to go. Nursing homes can give them a sense of relief that they have a place to go when they age and can no longer provide anything helpful to their children. A nursing home provides accommodation and food without the help of one's children when one becomes ill and can no longer take care of him/herself. It is also a place where, on the day of one's death, one can be accompanied by many; hence, there is no fear of abandonment at the time of death. One's life can be shared with others in similar circumstances; this can make one feel less lonely. Nursing homes are not places where Korean elderly like to be, but they are necessary and can be a place where one can feel fortunate. This study examined the mindset of Korean elderly and the complex perceptions that they have toward nursing homes due to their cultural understanding of our current society. Learning about such perceptions within the elderly about nursing homes will help the younger generation better understand and accommodate the perceptions of the elderly. Such efforts to understand will help the elderly overcome their feelings of anxiety whilst encouraging them to search for their enduring value without losing self-confidence. Care-givers within the nursing homes, for example, could be agents able to extend knowledge about elderlies and able to develop new approaches that could help residents feel more 'at home'. Furthermore, nurses can extend their understanding of perceptions that are unique to the Korean elderly and use such knowledge to provide care that is tailored to individual residents depending upon their cultural characteristics. This study, therefore, provides foundational tools that will provide directions for changes in the nursing environment, physiological support, programs, and education so that the needs of the elderly can be more efficacious. Assuming those changes will be implemented, the starting point for the next step in elderly care would be an attempt to transform the perceptions of the elderly who have yet not been admitted to nursing homes.