Abstract
The concept of dignity is an essential value of nursing practice and its attributes frequently include control, respect and self-esteem. In Hong Kong, elderly people have negative impressions about living in private nursing homes because they perceive these attributes of dignity will be lost. This study aims to understand and gain a deeper insight of the lived experience of being dignified for elderly Chinese residents in a private nursing home in Hong Kong. This study employed an interpretative qualitative design. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 14 nursing home residents to participate in this study. The data were collected through in-depth, unstructured face-to-face interviews. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and then analysed using van Manen's phenomenological method of qualitative research. Five themes that emerged from this study were: possessing inherent dignity, owning dignified-self perspectives, endeavouring to exercise dignity-conserving practices, receiving dignified care, and dwelling in a dignified home environment. Outcomes identified in this study showed the different ways dignity is conceptualised by the residents in the nursing home. The results enhance our understanding of dignity among residents in private nursing homes and can contribute to the development of strategies for providing dignified care in future.
Highlights
The concept of dignity is an essential value of nursing practice
This study aims to explore the lived experience of being dignified for elderly Chinese residents in a private nursing home, and aims to explore the situated possibilities, caring activities, and practices that constitute ― and are constitutive of ― the elderly residents’ perspective on maintaining dignity in the nursing home
Achieving the ultimate goal in caring for elderly residents in nursing homes - providing them with dignified care - would enable them to live in dignity
Summary
The concept of dignity is an essential value of nursing practice. As treating someone with dignity may impact positively upon treatment and social outcomes for the elderly, promoting dignity proves to be a cost-effective measure in raising both the quality of life and quality of care for this sector of society (Tadd et al 2002) [28]. This study aims to explore the lived experience of being dignified for elderly Chinese residents in a private nursing home, and aims to explore the situated possibilities, caring activities, and practices that constitute ― and are constitutive of ― the elderly residents’ perspective on maintaining dignity in the nursing home. Understanding the lived experience of elderly Chinese could contribute to develop dignified strategies in nursing homes. Achieving the ultimate goal in caring for elderly residents in nursing homes - providing them with dignified care - would enable them to live in dignity
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