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Back to the beginning: Perceptions of older Singaporean couples living alone

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  • Guo Yu (Samuel) Soon
  • Khoon Kiat Tan
  • Wenru Wang
  • Violeta Lopez

Abstract

Singapore has an aging population that is projected to increase by 32% in 2100. The majority of older couples live alone. “Aging in Place” is an initiative that is widely promoted by the government, in which older people are supported to live in their own homes. In this qualitative study, we explored the perceptions of older people living with their spouse in Singapore. Fifteen community‐dwelling older participants were interviewed. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (i) maintaining health and mobility; (2) maintaining relationships with spouse; (iii) maintaining relationship with others; and (iv) living the last leg of the race. The older people living on their own were generally content about maintaining their interdependence and complementary roles. Insights gathered from this study have relevance to implementation of the Aging‐in‐Place policy to ensure that older people receive the support they need to maintain their physical and psychosocial well‐being while living on their own.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo Yu (Samuel) Soon & Khoon Kiat Tan & Wenru Wang & Violeta Lopez, 2015. "Back to the beginning: Perceptions of older Singaporean couples living alone," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(3), pages 402-407, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:nuhsci:v:17:y:2015:i:3:p:402-407
    DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. He Mei & Sue Turale, 2017. "Coping experience of health concerns and physical disability for older Chinese people: A qualitative, descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 444-451, December.

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