Struggling to Restore Oneself as a Unique Human Being: Dignity in Older Hospital Patients—A Hermeneutic Study

Abstract

This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of what dignity is for older people cared for in a hospital. Old age is one stage in life where dignity might be threatened during hospitalization. This study is rooted in the theoretical perspective of caring and caring science. The overall methodology is the hermeneutical philosophy of understanding as outlined by Hans-Georg Gadamer. The interpretation revealed the patients’ struggle between death and life, and the struggle between being dignified and being violated. Being old and hospitalized entail a struggle in standing on one’s dignity.