Conversations about the meaning of life, loneliness and death can improve the quality of life

– Existential health is important because it is linked to physical and mental health. In a healthcare system that is becoming increasingly specialised, it is important that someone sees this whole, says Åsta Marie Olafsson.

She has researched the topic at VID Bergen. She has investigated what reflections older people have around existential questions and whether they want to talk to someone about this.

Existential questions concern, among other things, life and death, the meaning of life, truth and lies, connection and loneliness.

At the same time, Olafssen explores deacons’ experiences as conversation partners for the elderly and their perspectives on existential conversations with them. Deacons are church officials who are responsible for the church’s care tasks, such as nursing, social work. They can do everything from supporting the elderly and sick to working with young people, families in crisis and marginalized groups.

– If older people are taken seriously on an existential level, they will be able to have an increased quality of life and better health. It puts less pressure on the healthcare system, says Olafsson. She is a deacon herself.

Older people feel devalued

Olafsson has done individual interviews with the elderly and group interviews with deacons. In all the interviews, it emerged that some older people feel devalued and disregarded.

– They feel that they are no longer asked for their opinion, and that they are unable to keep up with developments, she says.

The deacons conveyed that “outdated” was a term many older people used about themselves. They also said that many older people have a need to talk about existential questions.

– The fact that faith and outlook on life are perceived as private in Norway can reinforce the tendency for older people not to talk to friends and family about these issues. It can lead to them being left alone with these difficult questions in old age, she says.

The deacons represent a counterculture

The deacons expressed that they had both the time and expertise to meet the needs of older people in this area.

– The way the deacons described themselves and their service meant that we interpreted them as easy to approach, that they are friendly, open and welcoming. The deacons have expertise in relationships and in talking about existential questions. It includes spiritual, religious and worldly perspectives, she explains.

Olafsson argues that the profession of deacon represents a counterculture to society and healthcare where time is short and existential and religious competence is limited.

– I claim that the profession of deacon makes a clear contribution to society. It complements health personnel and priests. As conversation partners with older people, deacons can contribute to better mental health, both through their competence as conversation partners and through their high number of conversations.

A topic that affects everyone

The findings are important for the healthcare system, various religious communities, everyone who works with elderly care and not least the elderly themselves.

– Existential questions are something that all people relate to to a greater or lesser extent. It is important for older people to know that it is not uncommon for such questions to become more prominent in old age. And that there are professional interlocutors, she points out.

For other age groups, the findings may also be interesting with regard to older family members or friends.

Reference:

Åsta Marie Olafsson: Existential Issues and Existential Conversations in Old Age. A Diaconal Approach. Doctoral thesis at VID:Open2024.