Exploring the Process of Spiritual Health of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes: A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND፡ Spiritual health is one of the important dimensions of the elderly’s health, which plays an important role in other dimensions of their health. This study aimed to explain the process of spiritual health of the elderly living in nursing homes.
METHODS: This grounded theory study was conducted in 4 nursing homes in the city of Arak Iran between October 2019 and September 2020. The participants were 24 elderly people living in nursing homes, two health care providers, one nurse and one family member, first selected through purposive sampling and
then, through theoretical sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin approach (2008).
RESULTS: Six main categories were identified, including helplessness, inefficient supportive environment, spiritual distress, seeking support, relative improvement of spiritual health and factors affecting spiritual health, each of which explains a part of the whole process of spiritual health of the elderly living in nursing homes.
CONCLUSION: Supporting the elderly living in nursing homes is necessary in order to meet their spiritual needs and preserve and promote their spiritual health.