Title

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF LONELINESS AMONG ELDERLY
AN INTERPRETIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Author(s)

KHYLLE ADRIANE D. BURLAS

MEL JANE C. CODERA

JAYSHA NICKOLE A. CATILOC

BARBIE JANE D. DEDORO

DRAKE ADRIANE D. ESTRERA

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Contributor

Elmedulan, Arnielyn M.

Duyag, Merasol O.

Adlao, Louie Jay o.

Santos, Susan N,

Year

2025

Abstract

Amid the growing number of the elderly, loneliness emerges as a silent force endangering their overall well-being. In response to this, the study was conducted to examine the lived experiences of loneliness among the elderly in Ozamiz City, using Robert S. Weiss’s Social Needs Theory (1973) to understand how unmet social needs contribute to loneliness, and Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (1970s) to highlight the significance of compassionate care. An interpretive phenomenological approach was employed to deeply understand the experiences of the elderly. Ten (10) participants aged 60 and above, living alone, and able to provide informed consent were selected through snowball sampling. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews conducted in Cebuano and English. With consent, interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed using Max van Manen’s interpretive phenomenological framework. The findings revealed that loneliness has a profound effect on the overall well-being of the elderly, increasing their vulnerability. Five essential themes emerged: physical shifts, disconnected yet yearning for belonging, time that moves too slowly, emptiness within familiar spaces, and bridges and barriers—each representing facets of participant’s lived experiences of loneliness. Findings illustrate the importance of empathetic communication, community support, and culturally sensitive interventions that enhance the quality of life among the elderly. Families can help by maintaining regular communication, while healthcare providers may tailor care to meet individual needs. Future researchers may explore loneliness across diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts to develop broader, evidence-based care strategies for the elderly.

Keywords

elderly, experience, interpretative phenomenology, living alone, loneliness