Article

We applied the grounded theory method to explore the post discharge
concerns of older people after fall-induced hip fracture repair.
It was
anticipated that this understanding would increase awareness of issues that may
impact on recovery and rehabilitation. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were
carried out with 19 older people after discharge home. Initially, purposive
sampling guided data collection and thereafter theoretical sampling was employed.
Interviews were analysed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: We
generated a theory of how older people 'take control' after hip fracture.
Conceptually, taking control was about 'balancing' and was both a process and a
range of strategies. The three stages of the process that people moved through
were: 'going under', 'keeping afloat' and 'gaining ground'. Nautical metaphors
conceptualise the precarious and unstable conditions that older people faced as
they struggled to regain their independence. Older people struggled to balance
help and risk, in their attempt to manage their concerns relating to losing
control of their future independence. CONCLUSION: Older people are vulnerable to
losing a sense of control after a health trauma. This theory adds a new dimension
to our understanding of recovery from hip fracture and highlights that older
people and their families need tailored information and support to enable them to take control safely and appropriately.
- Chute

Langue : ANGLAIS