LAUSR

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore everyday life experiences of being active in aged adults´ with walking impairment one year after hip fracture (HF). Methods: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study design is based on Heidegger´s and Gadamer´s thinking focusing on aged adults being-in-the-world one year after HF. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from May to July 2017 in the homes of nine participants, who were part of a longitudinal qualitative study with four interview-rounds for a period of 18 months after the HF event. The analysis was interpretative and secured that the authors´ pre-understanding was put at stake through a five-step process of meaning condensation. Results: One theme, “Enduring life in between a sense of renewal and loss of courage”, described aged adults´ experiences of being active in three sub-themes: “Facing loss and losing courage”, “Taking up the challenge and maintaining courage “, and “Renewing the energy to be active”. Living with being under change and increased vulnerability created a challenge in maintaining courage and reaching for possibilities to unfold their own being in life. Conclusion: This study contributes knowledge on how the aged adults´ experiences of the balance between courage and loss in being active one year after HF are profoundly connected with experiences of well-being.