A Qualitative Study on the Death Experiences of Caregivers at Nursing Homes for the Elderly

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the death experiences of caregivers who has been caring the elderly in nursing homes, and to understand the nature of the death experiences using the Giorgi’s phenomenological qualitative research method. The results of the study was as follows: firstly, a prior experience of caring work with related labor characteristics created an amplified death experience, and this experience confirmed the causal intrinsic structure that produces a resultant follow-up experiences. The caregivers’ sorrow was a complex feeling of pain, and it was a sorrow that went unnoticed. It was confirmed that the environmental conditions that induce such pain and grief were structurally created, causing these emotions to occur frequently. Consequently, it was confirmed with previous studies in a similar context that caregivers in nursing homes were also affected by the structurally limited effects of overcoming grief and their desire for growth. Through these research results, this study discussed and suggested implications for nursing care providers to function as stable service providers for death by using appropriate expertises and skills.