A study on the subjectivity of the elderly who live alone caregivers in perception of lonely death

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to analyzed the types of subjectivity that elderly who live alone caregivers have about the lonely death. Methods: This study objectified the subjective area by applying the Q methodology. It studied 24 caregivers in H region, who responded to 34 Q sample statements. The method of forced distribution was practiced regarding the results on a 9 points Q sample distribution chart. The collected data was analyzed using PC QUANL program. Results: The caregivers' perception of lonely death has been classified into four types: Type 1 ('type of fate-receptive invitation of lonely death'), Type 2 ('type of afterlife-expectantly invitation of lonely death'), Type 3 ('type of death preparation invitation of lonely death'), and type 4 ('type of rejection of lonely death due to attachment with life'). Conclusion: The present study attempts to provide basic resources for the development of nursing-intervention program to solve the problems with lonely death by grasping and understanding the types of the caregivers' perception of lonely death through which it also aims to yield information necessary to improve the quality of life in their remaining years. © 2012 Korean Society of Adult Nursing.