Calibrating and adjusting expectations in life: A grounded theory on how elderly persons with somatic health problems maintain control and balance in life and optimize well-being

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of the participants.

Subject	Age years	Gender	Civil status	Duration of education	Somatic health problems	Duration of illness	Known history of emotional distress
1	68	Male	Widower	>13 years	Episodes with synapsesDiabetes with kidney complications	New ≤2 years
2	86	Male	Married	≤10 years	Complications toHeart and vascular disease	New ≤2 years	Anxiety
3	74	Female	Married	≤10 years	Vertigo	New	Depression
4	78	Female	Married	≤10 years	Cerebral ischemiaReduced mobility	New ≤2 years	Anxiety
5	76	Male	Single	11–13 years	Skin tumorsGoutKidney failure Seriousheart and vascular disease	New >5 years >10 years >20 years
6	75	Male	Married	11–13 years	Serious heart and vascular disease	New	Anxiety
7 = outp	72	Female	Widow	11–13 years	Rheumatoidarthritis	≤10 years
8 = outp	67	Male	Married	≤10 years	Gastric disease	≤5 years
9 = outp	85	Male	Married	≤10 years	PolyneuropathyUrinary problems	≤10 years ≤10 years
10 = outp	70	Female	Married	≤10 years	Remitting episodes of unconsciousnessHeart and blood diseaseMigraine	New >5 years >20 years	Depression
11	81	Male	Widower	≤10 years	GoutUrinary problemsHeart and vascular disease	New ≤2 year >20 years
12	71	Male	Married	≤10 years	Complications to Kidney and heart failure Diabetes	New >10 years, ≤10 years	Depression
13	68	Male	Single	11–13 years	Hypertension	New
14	68	Male	Married	>13 years	Vision defect Tumor in brain and gastrointestinal tract	New >10 years

Outp = outpatient

Table 2. The core category “Calibrating and adjusting expectations in life” and five facilitating strategies elderly persons with somatic health problems use in order to maintain control and balance in life and optimize well-being.

Core category

Calibrating and adjusting expectations in life

Adjusting to the new situation takes some time

Comparison with others in a worse situation

Turn to other interests that fits with the new situation

Resettle the expectation of mission to fill

Facilitating strategies

Utilizing the network of important others

Wife has the same view, makes life easier

Being with family makes you feel joy

When difficulties, the best friend is the one to talk too

Old mates to share the past with

Enjoying cultural heritage

It's natural to move back near the area where you grew up

To pass along the hunting interest to the next generation is heritage

Secure the future of the farm and the natural resources connected to it

To be in nature is fantastic

Being occupied with interests

It is like therapy

Helps me to use the brain

To create something and succeed

It's a part of being alive

Having a mission to fulfill

To help others keeps me going

Getting a good experience of having delighted others

To take care of yourself is satisfying

To never be a burden for someone makes me feel good

Improving the situation by limiting boundaries

It helps to live a wholesome life, train, and eat healthy

I asked for assistance; take initiative to better your health situation

I used money and efforts to get certain things to function better

You have to arrange your living situation so it's more practical

Creating a meaning in everyday life

I find my life and other things meaningful

Feeling comfortable with myself and my everyday life

Having important factors in my life that makes it valuable to live

Health is miserable, but my life is worthwhile