Abstract
Literature reviews on elder orphans recommended the need of an in-depth exploration of health care and social issues from their actual experiences. This article explores the experiences of elder orphans living independently in the community on their own with no immediate or close family support. The study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach through face-to-face interviews. Two main themes emerged from the data. The first theme was “advance plans” with the subthemes (a) my to-do list and (b) the right timing. The second theme identified was “informal support network” with the subthemes (a) family is right here and (b) familiarized support system. These findings offered insights on how existing informal networks influence elder orphans’ consideration for advance directives in terms of timing. Moreover, the findings have identified the extent of which informal support network has been received by elder orphans. Currently, the support threshold of these informal networks is unknown, which warrants further research.
Highlights
New Zealand contributes to the fast global aging population
All participants lived in a major metropolis in New Zealand and they all had been in paid employment
This study explored the experience of older adults who identified themselves as elder orphans, who live independently in their own homes without geographically close family support
Summary
New Zealand contributes to the fast global aging population. The 2013 Census recorded 607,032 older New Zealanders aged 65 and older (Statistics New Zealand, 2015). The population of older adults is the fastest growing group and is projected to double in the 50 years. Together with the global aging trend are longer life expectancies, changing family/social structures, and new lifestyle preferences, with preferred dwellings. These associated phenomena anticipate the prominent future profile of older adults, who for some, live longer years, outlived immediate or other family members, divorced or without children and those who consider living alone as a lifestyle preference (Koopman-Boyden & Moosa, 2014). These associated phenomena anticipate the prominent future profile of older adults, who for some, live longer years, outlived immediate or other family members, divorced or without children and those who consider living alone as a lifestyle preference (Koopman-Boyden & Moosa, 2014). Carney, Fujiwara, Emmert, Liberman, and Paris (2016) recently coined the term “elder orphan” to describe this increasing cohort of older people who have health and social vulnerabilities, yet almost unknown to most health care professionals
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