Tiredness of life (ToL) in older adults is a phenomenon that is causing increasing social concern, with health care professionals reporting challenges in caring for those who are experiencing it. Nursing home residents, in particular, may be especially vulnerable to ToL. However, there is currently no scientific understanding of what ToL entails and how exactly nursing home residents experience this phenomenon. This study therefore aims to unravel the experience of ToL among nursing home residents.
This study employed a grounded theory design where 26 semistructured in-depth interviews with nursing home residents were collected. Data were analyzed iteratively using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (QUAGOL).
The experience of ToL among nursing home residents is characterized by an interacting combination of several experiences of suffering: A disconnection from life, which manifests as a loss of drive and/or death wishes, is closely linked to a threatened sense of self, characterized by four types of loss: a loss of mattering, a loss of social connection, a loss of agency, and a loss of hope for the future.
Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the ToL experience among nursing home residents. ToL appears to be a dynamic, complex, and layered phenomenon. Fostering a valued sense of self could guide care strategies for residents experiencing ToL. Further research is essential to unpack the specific dynamics underlying this experience.