The nature of quality of life in residential care facilities: the case of White older South Africans

Abstract

This study describes the nature of quality of life (QoL) from the perspective of older South Africans (n = 41) in residential care facilities (female = 75%; age range 62–95 years). The residents participated in individual in-depth interviews and focus groups. They also set down their narrative reflections on their QoL in journals. Data were analysed by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings reveal the resident older South Africans regard QoL as a spiritually informed worldview of life events, coping with challenges and being mindful of others. The residents perceived QoL to include proximity and quality and reciprocity with others. QoL among older people is context and people specific.

Keywords:

• Older South African people
• lifespan
• qualitative enquiry
• quality of life
• relationships
• residential care facilities