The Meaning of the Future for the Oldest Old

Abstract

The aim of the study was to highlight the oldest old people's view of their future from a perspective of philosophy of life. Data was collected by means of life story interviews with 15 persons. The analysis was performed by utilizing a phenomenological hermeneutic method and the interpretation was guided by the conceptual framework of philosophy of life as designated by Jeffner (1988). The following themes emerged: future seen as everyday life; future-oriented values; and thoughts about life and death. The oldest old were found to view their future in ways that ranged from a tangible positive approach via a wait-and-see policy to a negative approach. Their perception of their future implied two different time perspectives, their immediate future and a more long-term perspective of the future. Furthermore, the future was experienced on three different levels, the individual level, the intergenerational level, and the metaphysical level.