ABSTRACT

Objective : This research was conducted as a phenomenological study, and applied Giorgi's technical phenomenology to study the meaningful occupation of elderly persons living in a nursing home. The main question for this research started with“ What is the experience the meaningful occupation in elderly persons living in a nursing home?” Methods : The participants of this research were elderly persons over 65 years of age with experience in meaningful occupation. The data was collected from March 2011 until May 2011, and was generated through in-depth interviews. There were 7 participants in total. All of the interview data was transcribed and analyzed just as the participants articulated. Results : The results of the study consisted of 57 semantic units, 11 sub-components, and 4 components. The 4 components are presented below.‘ Good deeds and service’,‘ Role of family members’,‘ Making friends’, ‘Religious activities’. Conclusion : When entering the nursing home, the meaningful occupation aimed at a ‘successful life.’ However, as time passed, the goal of the patients changed to a ‘good death.' In addition, the goal according to this changing, meaningful occupation remained the same, but the factors were different.