Qualitative approach to the quality of life of a Chilean elderly person with family accompaniment

Abstract

Introduction: It is relevant to measure quality of life because of the close link between this entity, mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis; therefore, it is necessary to know how patients are perceiving their health condition during renal replacement therapy. Objective: To understand the meaning of quality of life for an older person on haemodialysis and their primary caregiver. Method: Descriptive qualitative study with a phenomenological approach, which was carried out by means of an in-depth interview with an elderly person undergoing haemodialysis treatment and the main career. Subsequently, a verbatim transcription of each of the previously recorded interviews was made. Results: The results were classified according to the following dimensions of quality of life: social, activities of daily living, health, health systems, material well-being; and an emerging category entitled pandemic was included according to the current epidemiological situation. The term quality of life for the research participants was described as “living healthy, disease-free lives”. Conclusion: Proper implementation of treatments and trained haemodialysis nurses would provide education, interventions, support and appropriate accompaniment, which is essential to address and promote biopsychosocial and spiritual well-being.