Still going strong: perceptions of the body among 85-year-old people in Sweden

Background.  Studies on the lived experience of an aging body are scarce.
Aim and objectives.  The aim of this study was to illuminate the experiences of the body among elderly people.
Design.  This study is part of the Umeå 85+ Study, a cross-sectional investigation into successful aging and threats against successful aging. The present study has an explorative design.
Methods.  The text from 40 thematic interviews with 85-year-olds was analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results.  Two themes and seven subthemes were developed. The theme: Still going strong encompassed the subthemes of Exercising and being active, Caring for one's body, Standing on one's own two feet and Feeling healthy. The theme: Adapting to a failing body encompassed the subthemes of Not being able to perform activities and manage by oneself, Feeling fatigued and Compensating for bodily decline.
Conclusions.  The participants felt that the body was still a source of pleasure, in spite of its defects. Assistive devices were important for the maintenance of independence when the body declined.
Relevance to clinical practice.  When caring for elderly people with declining bodily function, it is important to have appropriate and well-tested equipment in readiness.