Özet:

Aging involves the integration of the experiences, perceptions and thoughts acquired in the previous stages of life. This integration is an acceptance of an individual’s experiences, with all their negative and positive aspects. During this process, older individuals make an effort to cope with various losses and difficulties. Negativities in this process such as the death of a spouse, a decrease in income, deterioration of health, or insufficiency of social security may easily turn into welfare-decreasing areas of struggle for older people and affect the meaning of their life. This study has been designed and implemented with the aim of explaining the meaning of life in older age with objective and subjective indicators of well-being. This qualitative study used interviews to collect data from 10 female and 9 male participants over the age of 65. Data obtained from in-depth interviews with participants about the meaning of life were interpreted with respect to objective (economic well-being, property, health and healthy lifestyle) and subjective (life satisfaction, happiness, interpersonal relationships and family interaction) well-being indicators. It was found that (a) the participating older individuals were unhappy with their economic situation due to their low salaries but they could make ends meet; (b) those who owned property were better off economically; (c) males felt healthier and more energetic; and (d) those whose spouses were alive and who were receiving social support from their children were happier and more satisfied by their lives. Conducted to interpret the meaning of life in older age through objective and subjective well-being indicators, this study is a guide for future studies and practices aiming to better the life conditions of older people.

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