Experiences in enabling elderly people for communion and solitude in a South African context

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the care providers' experiences in enabling communionship and solitude in daily living for elderly living in old age homes in a South African context. Method: This study was done using a qualitative analysing method, with empirical data obtained from nursing staff of elderly. The study was phenomenological which aims at deepen the understanding of human experiences as phenomenon. The data was collected by using a groupinterview which included five informants from an old age home in Pretoria. The analysis included two steps; Naive reading and structural analysis in order to transform the individual elucidations into an abstract which had no individual touch. Result: The most revealing findings of the result were that the process of becoming old and moving into an old age home is, experienced by nurses, including changes in the individual's life and lifestyle. To cope with this rearrangement is a difficult task for both the old people and their relatives and this is were the roll of the nurse comes forth as a negotiator to guarantee an optimal situation for both parts. To be a nurse in geriatric care puts your skills at test in enabling daily care for old people which is suitable to the individuals' individual needs. Conclusions: Experiences to meet and enabling individual needs for old people in there daily living lies in the interest and is of worth for all personnel working with elderly people. One should always remember that all individuals are different, and unique in a subjective perspective. This is an important consideration in order to enable holistic care for the individual as a phenomenon