Abstract:
The deterioration of health associated with chronic diseases such as hypertension
and diabetes mellitus often leads to psychological problems especially among ageing
older persons. The aim of the present study was to explore the lived experiences of
older persons living with chronic diseases in Ga-Dikgale community in the Limpopo
Province. Specifically, the study sought to determine the subjective meanings that
older persons living with chronic diseases attach to their conditions; to establish older
persons’ causal explanations of their chronic diseases; and, to determine the
psychological strategies that older persons use to manage their conditions.
A qualitative approach, and in particular, the phenomenological method was used in
the present study. Ten older persons living with the experiences of chronic diseases
(male = 3: female = 7), aged between 60 and 90 were selected through purposive
sampling and requested to participate in the study. Data were collected using
semistructured interviews and analyzed using the Interpretive Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA) method. The themes that emerged from the study included the
following: a). The subjective explanations by older persons living with a chronic
disease; b). Manifestations of chronic diseases; c). The psychological coping
strategies used by older persons; d) The management of chronic diseases. The
findings of the present study further suggest that the participants understand their
illnesses as chronic conditions that require long-term management. A number of
psychological strategies are utilised by the participants to cope with their chronic
conditions. These include passive/active coping and cognitive reappraisal coping
strategies. With regard to the management of chronic conditions, most participants
were of the view that medical treatment received from the clinic is appropriate for the
treatment of their conditions. Some of the participants were however of the view that
the nurses did not give them enough information about their chronic condition. The
study is concluded by making a number of recommendations that among others
include calling for more studies that should be conducted on the impact of chronic
diseases on the family structure.
