저소득층 독거노인과 독거노인생활관리사의 돌봄 관계 경험

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how low-income older adults living alone and their life managers in the care services for low-income older adults living alone experienced their caregiving relationship. Analysis was based on nine low-income older adults living alone and their nine life managers. Three themes were identified: perceptions on their caregiving relationship, different expectations between the older adults and their life managers, and efforts to improve their relationships. Regarding the perceptions on their caregiving relationship, the low-income older adults living alone thought their life managers as a family or even better than their own family. The life managers also had a rewarding experience. Despite these positive experiences in the caregiving relationship, they had different expectations for the relationship. The older adults had different perceptions of care services based on their living conditions and their relationship with their life managers. In terms of the life managers, they perceived their role as both a volunteer and a professional. In addition, they experienced difficulties in establishing different relationships with 30 individuals who have different expectations on the care service. Considering their efforts to improve their relationships, the older adults expressed their gratitude by sharing foods and prayer. The life managers also had endeavored to improve their services by acquiring professional qualifications and utilizing their personal network. These findings suggest that life managers are important interpersonal and economic resources for the older adults living alone and it is important to improve the work conditions of life managers in order to provide better services for low-income older adults living alone.