著者

中村 陽子

出版者

福井大学

雑誌

福井大学医学部研究雑誌 (ISSN:13488562)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.6, no.1, pp.41-55, 2005-12-16

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The purpose of this study was to manifest adaptation of the elderly with impairment to the environment of two institutions, located in the eastern Hokkaido. Data were collected utilizing free talking and semi-structured transcripts of interviews with informants. In this study, circumstances that 13 key informants experienced in adapting to the special nursing homes were examined. The study was based on qualitative and inductive methods. From the results of the study, the core of adaptation was found to be " hardiness", characterized elements of 'selection and resposibility', 'self-control', 'challenge', and 'being like oneself'. Additionally, it was clarified that adaptation, which focused on "hardiness" had 4 dimensions. In dimension I, ≪maintenance of security≫, informants with physical or mental impairment preferentially decided to choose the environment, taking into account such a safety place, due to their needs. In dimension II, ≪recognition of negative environment≫, in which negative sides of the institution, <lack of impetus>, <discontent with institutional life>, and <a dilemma in the environment> were categorized, these categories involved not only (loss of self-identity and privacy) limited ambiguous boundaries, but also (coping as indifference) experience to conquer the negative environment. Such a dual nature of institutional environment in living situation reflected elements of losing individuality and autonomy by lack of social impetus. But most of the informants selected importance of security, and accepted another negative phase of the environment. They recognized the institution as dimension III, ≪a terminal residence≫, and at the same time, accepted total negative phase. In dimension IV, ≪gratitude≫, were identified long term institutional life with integration of self, and positively accepted self with impairment and institutional life. From these findings, this study suggested that comprehensive understanding of the behavior of the elderly who were admitted to the institution and supportive care based on individuality and autonomy to adapt to the environment were needed.