Experiences of implementing a coping mechanism for the elderly who face chronic diseases while living with the family: a phenomenology study

Abstract Objective Physical and psychological stress causes harm to the health status of the elderly with chronic diseases. This study aimed to understand coping mechanisms of the elderly with chronic conditions who live with their family. Methods This study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenology method from the experience of 13 older adults with chronic disease. The study processes were interviewed, tape recorded, transcribed, and explored from the transcripts using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method. The steps of the descriptive phenomenology process are bracketing, intuiting, analyzing, and describing. Results The coping mechanisms used by the elderly with chronic diseases are (1) the behavioral focus coping ways by doing sports, and physical activities; (2) Focus on spirituality has been implemented by fasting, chanting, dhikr, and prayer; (3) The cognitive focus by working on hobbies or habitual activities and helping each other; (4) The social interaction focus was by interacting with friends, family, and neighbors. Conclusions This shows that elderly adults with disease conditions try to adapt various forms of coping mechanisms, which positively affects their psychological state. Families which have elderly with chronic diseases are expected to provide nurturing and psychological support to them so that the elderly can consistently apply coping mechanisms to overcome and tackle chronic diseases. Understanding the coping mechanism implementation of the elderly who have chronic diseases by their family can guide health specialists in designing psychological and spiritual approach interventions.