Experience of Loneliness Among Older Persons With Long‐Term Care Living in Nursing Homes: A Descriptive Qualitative Study in China

As China's aging population continues to grow, increasing numbers of older persons are residing in nursing homes (NHs) and receiving long-term care (LTC). Loneliness is one of the most prominent feelings among older persons with LTC living in NHs. However, their experiences of loneliness are often poorly known in Chinese NHs, especially in the counties. Therefore, this qualitative study explores the experiences of loneliness among older persons in NHs. The selection of 14 participants was based on purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with audio recordings. The content analysis method was employed to analyse the entire data. Four key themes emerged: being alone with experiences of loss and dilemma; health conditions contributing to loneliness; institutional loneliness; and dealing with loneliness. The findings of this study highlight the importance of focusing on understanding the individual needs and inner thoughts of older persons to help them deal with loneliness, addressing the relationship between nursing care rights and older persons, and creating a home-like environment for them.