Achieving healthy ageing through the perspective of sense of coherence among senior-only households: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives: Explore perceptions towards healthy ageing through the perspective of sense of coherence among older adults residing in senior-only households.

Methods: A qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted and appreciative inquiry was adopted as a strengths-based interviewing approach. 27 older adults who either live alone or with their spouses only were involved in six focus group discussions at a community centre in Singapore. Data saturation was achieved and thematic analysis was performed to analyse the data.

Results: The four emerging themes were (1) contending evolving vulnerabilities, (2) intrinsic value of health, (3) taking care of oneself is a personal responsibility, and (4) taking one day at a time: outlook towards later part of life. Older adults’ underlying pathogenic orientation towards health contributed to their perceived unpredictable confrontations with vicissitudes including illness and death. This played a part to their short outlook towards old age. Consequently, this could limit their will and abilities to seek meaningful pursuits or valued aspirations and movement towards the salutogenic health pole.

Conclusion: By reframing the definition of health to pursuing and fulfilling valued accomplishments, optimal health can be achieved regardless of physical health state. This study suggested that sense of coherence towards the pursuit of healthy ageing can be addressed by reducing the unpredictability of ageing-related processes and vulnerabilities (comprehensibility), supporting active adoption of actions which promotes physical, mental and social health (manageability) and individual reflection in making sense of old age to seek motivation in living each day purposefully (meaningfulness).

Keywords:

• Sense of coherence
• healthy ageing
• salutogenesis
• aged care
• community health

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms Jeane Fong and her team from Boon Lay Constituency for her assistance, as well as all seniors who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Singapore Ministry of Education Social Science Research Thematic Grant.