Experience of Insomnia Symptoms in the Elderly Living Alone in the Community

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of insomnia symptoms in the elderly living alone in the community. Methods: Eleven of the elderly with insomnia symptoms living alone in the community were interviewed. Data were collected through individual interviews July-September 2018. Colaizzi’s phenomenological methodology was used. Results: Results showed that the experiences of insomnia symptoms of the elderly living alone comprised 11 themes clusters and five categories: 1) Insomnia symptoms triggered by various causes, 2) Physical symptoms exacerbated by insomnia, 3) Insomnia worsened by psychological symptoms, 4) Useless efforts to fix insomnia, 5) Living with adapted insomnia symptoms. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop a sleep intervention program that includes insomnia symptoms awareness, sleep health education, and social support factors. Community nurses should focus on insomnia symptoms as well as listen and empathize with various psychological phenomena in caring for the elderly with insomnia living alone. © 2020 The Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.