Qualitative Exploration of Elders' Perspectives

Before formal data collection, the research purpose and contents were interpreted to the community-dwelling elders living alone. Meanwhile, we explained to the elders that the interview would be recorded and promised to keep this study confidential, strictly protecting the privacy of the subjects. Written informed consent was obtained thereafter. The demographic data were obtained before formal interviews were held, which were accomplished together with the same interviewer and recorder, DK and SL. The location of the interview was left to the discretion of the interviewees to choose a place that is quiet and familiar for older adults based on meeting the environmental requirements for interviews. The whole process was recorded synchronously using a voice recorder and non-verbal information, including expressions, body gestures, and tone, was observed and recorded in time. Various methods such as explanation, clarification, and questioning were applied during the interviews, and any inducement and suggestion were avoided. Each interview lasted for 20–40 min. When the interview was completed, the opinions of the participants were collected for a follow-up improvement. The sample size was considered until the data were repeated and no new topic emerged (46 (link)). After interviewing 13 older adults living alone, the data were saturated and no new content was included. We interviewed two more older adults living alone and confirmed that the data obtained were fully saturated. Finally, the data of 15 interviewees were analyzed.