장기요양시설 간호사의 노인 사회적 허약에 대한 경험

Long-term Care Facility Nurses’ Experience of Social Frailty in Older Adults

Purpose : This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses working in long-term care facilities regarding social frailty among older adults. Methods : Twelve nurses with at least 6 months of clinical experience in long-term care facilities participated in this study. In-depth individual interviews were conducted via Zoom to collect data. Each interview lasted for 40 to 50 minutes. Data were collected from April 5 to 29, 2024, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Results : The result revealed 57 significant statements, 10 themes, and 4 theme clusters. The clusters included: life in which older adults themselves do not exist, gradual loss of connections, worsening of social frailty due to negative experience, and nurses’ efforts to alleviate social frailty. Conclusion : To mitigate social frailty in older adults, nurses should educate caregivers on the importance of communication and encourage proactive engagement with residents. The findings underscore the need for government policies to foster holistic care environments in which nurses can systematically assess and intervene in the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of frailty.