“By Hook or by Crook” - Meaning in Life for Older Adults Residing in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living Facilities

Sep 29, 2026

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Meaning in life (MiL) reflects understanding one’s life and its purpose and is linked to well-being. This qualitative descriptive study characterizes MiL among older adults living in Medicaid-funded assisted living programs (ALP), using five-phase qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews. MiL was described across four categories—enjoyment, responsible action, purpose, and understanding—with cross-cutting themes: remaining connected, feeling (in)dependent, engaging with (in)justice, and keeping the faith. Systemic racism, ageism, financial and housing instability, and limited trust and privacy shaped participants’ experiences. Findings guide policy, practice, and meaning-making interventions in ALF settings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Meaning in life framework and study aim

Method: interviews and analysis approach

MiL categories and cross-cutting themes

Structural and contextual influences

Implications for policy, practice, and interventions

504 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1722 “BY HOOK OR BY CROOK” -MEANING IN LIFE FOR OLDER ADULTS RESIDING IN MEDICAID-FUNDED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES Brianna Morgan1, Kelseanne Breder2, and Daniel David2, 1. New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, United States, 2. New York University, New York, New York, United States Meaning in life (MiL) is the comprehension of one’s life and its purpose and is associated with well-being. Wong (2021) characterizes four categories of MiL: Enjoyment, responsible action, purpose, and understanding. Older adults residing in Medicaid-funded assisted living programs (ALP) have unique experiences that may influence how they describe MiL. This qualitative descriptive study aims to characterize MiL for older adults residing inALP, illuminating their psychosocial needs. We applied a five-phase qualitative data analysis process from Bingham et al.,(2023) to semi-structured interviews with older adults. We used trustworthiness methods of co-coding, peer debriefing, and community advisor board review. Older adults described experiences across all four MiL categories with cross-cutting themes: 1. Remaining connected 2. Feeling (in)dependent 3. Engaging with (in)justice 4. Keeping the faith Second, structural and contextual factors, such as systemic racism and ageism, financial and housing instability, and lack of trust and privacy influenced how participants experienced MiL. These findings highlight that older adults residing in ALP may experience structural and contextual challenges, such as inconsistent access to resources. Yet, they have robust MiL experiences characterized by meaningful connections, fierce independence, engagement with justice, and strong faith. These results inform policy and practice in ALF settings. Adapting individual-level meaning-making interventions using participatory co-design methods can incorporate the unique needs of ALP residents. System-level programs should facilitate connection, independence, engagement in justice, and faith while addressing contextual barriers. Overall, engaging older adults with how they experience MiL has the potential to enhance well-being for all.

FAQs

What four categories of meaning in life guide the study?

The study uses four MiL categories: enjoyment, responsible action, purpose, and understanding.

What cross-cutting themes did older adults describe in their MiL experiences?

Participants described remaining connected, feeling (in)dependent, engaging with (in)justice, and keeping the faith.

Which contextual factors affected how participants experienced meaning in life?

Systemic racism and ageism, financial and housing instability, and limited trust and privacy influenced participants’ MiL.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Fans