ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of the elderly under institutional
care at Batanai Old Age Home in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The research explored the lives of the
residents taking note of the reasons behind their admission into the institution, the positive and
negative aspects of staying in an institution. The study also looked at the coping strategies that
they adopted and the support systems required in nursing homes to ensure the wellbeing of the
residents.The target population consisted of 10 residents at Batanai Old Age Home. Purposive
sampling procedure was used and thus, 7 residents were found to be eligible for the
interviews. The sample consisted of both males and females. Data was collected through the
use of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 7 participants. The researcher used Thematic
Analysis to analyze the data. The data was processed in the following 6 phases:
i. Familiarizing with data
ii. Coding
iii. Searching for themes
iv. Reviewing themes
v. Defining and naming themes
vi. Writing up
On the lived experiences, 8 themes were identified. The first 6 themes covered the negative
aspects then the other 2 themes covered the positive aspects. The themes included:
background information, relations with caregivers and other residents, security, dignity,
longing for familial relations, “this is not our home,” autonomy and feeling optimistic about
living in a nursing home. 4 coping strategies adopted by the inmates were: acceptance,
rationalization, avoidance and passive coping strategies. The researcher observed that the
inmates received more of physical, spiritual and social support than psychological support.
Conclusion: The residents do face some benefits and challenges by staying in a nursing home.
In order for them to cope, the elderly invent some coping strategies as supported by
Goffman’s Total Institutions theory. Psychological services are very important at an institution
so that whenever the residents feel distressed, psychological help is made available to them.
Recommendations: There is need to ensure that psychological services are made available at
the institution so that the elderly can be helped when they face challenges. The Caregivers
should get some more training to enhance the upkeep of the residents.
Tarugarira, P (2021). Lived Experiences Of The Elderly Under Institutional Care. A Case Of Batanai Old Age Home, Gweru, Zimbabwe. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/lived-experiences-of-the-elderly-under-institutional-care-a-case-of-batanai-old-age-home-gweru-zimbabwe
Tarugarira, Precious "Lived Experiences Of The Elderly Under Institutional Care. A Case Of Batanai Old Age Home, Gweru, Zimbabwe" Afribary. Afribary, 09 May. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/lived-experiences-of-the-elderly-under-institutional-care-a-case-of-batanai-old-age-home-gweru-zimbabwe. Accessed 09 Nov. 2024.
Tarugarira, Precious . "Lived Experiences Of The Elderly Under Institutional Care. A Case Of Batanai Old Age Home, Gweru, Zimbabwe". Afribary, Afribary, 09 May. 2021. Web. 09 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/lived-experiences-of-the-elderly-under-institutional-care-a-case-of-batanai-old-age-home-gweru-zimbabwe >.
Tarugarira, Precious . "Lived Experiences Of The Elderly Under Institutional Care. A Case Of Batanai Old Age Home, Gweru, Zimbabwe" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 09, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/lived-experiences-of-the-elderly-under-institutional-care-a-case-of-batanai-old-age-home-gweru-zimbabwe