Man-Living-Health: The Theory in Practice

Abstract

This article presents the application of man-living-health in practice with one elderly person over a period of time. Examination of the as sumptions underpinning the man-living-health theory help to clarify the basic tenets of the theory and the focus of nursing practice. The nurse- person interrelationship revolves around the themes from the principles of the theory: meaning, rhythmicity, and co-transcendence. Specific practice dimensions and processes guide the nursing presence over time as personal health descriptions evolve. Paradoxical patterns of health emerge from the personal health descriptions and give direction to nurse- person activities in an institutional setting. Practice was guided by the theoretical proposition that powering is a way of revealing-concealing imaging. The related practice proposition is that struggling to live goals reflects the pushing-resisting in human situations as one shares and withholds, all at once, the meaning of unfolding life events. A new theoretical proposition emerged from practice that supports the theory and provides direction for future practice.