The Lived Experiences of Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Phenomenological Study

One of the sensitive periods of life is aging, associated with a wide range of physiological and psychological changes. In recent years, the care of older adults has undergone changes, and a number of older people live in nursing homes, which have unique challenges and characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the experience of older adults in nursing homes. This was a qualitative study with a phenomenological method. The statistical population of the present study included all older adults living in nursing homes in Tehran, Iran. Using the purposive sampling method, we continued recruiting until reaching the saturation stage. Finally, 11 people were recruited as the sample group. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed with Colaizzi’s 7-step method. The findings of the research were categorized in three categories: (1) identifying the challenges and problems of older adults in nursing homes, with three main themes and 13 sub-themes, (2) identifying effective factors and solutions to improve the quality of life of older adults, with three main themes and 10 sub-themes, and (3) hope and prospects for the future, with one main theme and two sub-themes. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that older adults living in nursing homes have special conditions and characteristics, making it necessary to take measures to increase the quality of life of older adults living in nursing homes according to the suggestions of the present research.