치매 노인 여성의 체험연구

초록

This study illustrates the essential understanding of the psycho-sociological experience of elderly women with dementia. The aim of this study is to deepen family & professional's understanding of the importance of each patient's suffering and future hopes. In this study, an interdisciplinary approach to individual development is combined with the qualitative research strategy of interviewing in order to examine hidden dimensions in the dementia's perception. The study employs a Max Van Manen's phenomenological method. The data analysis follows the procedure of qualitative content analysis. 6 elderly women in their 65-80s were individually observed and interviewed twice at Day Care Center of K County. The experience can be divided into six themes; Life with death, Edge of memory, Silent tears, Touch in the dark room, Unexpected caller, and Sick mother's affection. From the forgoing, we found that the elderly women with dementia continue to possess some degree of insight and try to cope with what is happening. They concern that they are something wrong with themselves. They feel fear, grief, loss, embarrassment, insecurity, isolation and coming death. This result conveys to us knowledge about the dementia as unique and whole persons. Thus, this awareness stimulates family and professional to maintain the relationship with the care receivers and to initiate an ongoing caring process in Corea.