JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background International research concerning end of life issues emphasizes the importance of staff being prepared to deal with existential issues in order to provide adequate care. The last phase of life is often related to losses of different kinds, which might trigger feelings of loneliness in general and existential loneliness in particular. There is a large body of research concerning loneliness among older people in general, but little is known about the phenomenon and concept of existential loneliness in old age. Methods and analysis This article aims to describe the framing and design of the first exploratory phase of an intervention study focusing on existential loneliness among older people, the LONE study. This phase corresponds to the development phase according to the Medical Research Council framework for designing complex interventions. The LONE study contains both theoretical and empirical studies concerning (a) identifying the evidence base, (b) identifying and developing theory through individual and focus group interviews with frail older people, next of kin, and staff, and (c) modelling process and outcomes for the intervention. Ethics and dissemination This project involves sensitive issues that must be carefully reviewed. The topic in itself concerns a sensitive matter, and the study group is vulnerable; an ethical consciousness will therefore be applied throughout the project. The study has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Lund (ref: 2014-652). The results from the development phase will be published as at least ten scientific articles, and be presented at international conferences. These results will in turn build the base and the frame for an intervention aimed at supporting heath care staff in encountering existential loneliness among older people.