背景與重要性
台灣社會同時面臨高齡人口增加與出生人口減少，使家庭結構逐漸簡單，長者建立穩定互動關係的來源減少，致使能帶來情感支持的替代與調適機制需求增加，而同伴動物相較人際關係有低負擔且具安全感的特性，逐漸成為部分長者重要的情感依附對象。然而，國內既有關於同伴動物與高齡長者之研究，多聚焦於特定面向，對長期共同生活之日常經驗著墨有限。因此，從高齡長者觀點深入理解其與同伴動物共同居住的生活經驗，對於補足本土研究在日常導向與主觀經驗層面的不足具重要意義。
研究目的
透過深度訪談探討高齡長者與同伴動物共同居住之生活經驗。
研究方法
本研究採質性研究設計，運用現象學研究法，以立意取樣輔以滾雪球取樣方式，於南部某縣市招募與同伴動物共同居住至少一年之65歲以上之居家長者，進行半結構式一對一深度訪談，持續訪談直至資料飽和後停止收案，並以主題分析法進行資料分析。
研究結果
研究共訪談11位長者，得出兩大範疇：範疇一「在高齡生活裡佔個位置－建構共同居住的日常」，其中主題一為「同伴動物進入高齡生活的契機」，包含兩個次主題：「追求實踐人生信念」及「非預期下別無選擇」；主題二為「從『我』變成『我們』」，包含兩個次主題：「這是一份責任」及「後援團隊不可或缺」。範疇二「替高齡生活增添滋味－共同居住帶來的酸甜苦辣」，其中主題一為「高齡鏡頭下的牠與我」，包含三個次主題：「我眼裡的牠」、「年齡漸長下的同理與餘裕」及「在牠心裡只有我可以」；主題二為「享福的年紀，操煩咧過日」，包含三個次主題：「老本有限，牽掛無限」、「兼顧多重角色的為難」及「臣服歲月與時代的推移」；主題三為「共度日常中的無常」，包含兩個次主題：「察覺同伴動物的離別感知」及「面對無常，各有其道」。
結論
本研究結果顯示，同伴動物進入長者日常生活的契機不盡相同，卻在共同居住後逐漸成為重要存在，使長者感受到深刻情感連結，同時也面臨多重壓力與調適。依據研究結果，建議長者在與同伴動物共同居住前，應由全家庭成員共同評估彼此意願、照顧能力及現有資源；發展高齡友善的動物照顧支持系統，降低長者照顧負擔；增加動物輔助活動的可近性，使長者在較少照顧壓力下獲得陪伴與情感慰藉；運用科技陪伴動物拓展替代性情感支持，讓無法與同伴動物共同生活的長者，亦有機會感受到相似的心理陪伴，上述作為未來發展高齡照護之參考。

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 11 community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan living with companion animals. In response to population aging, declining birth rates, and increasingly simplified family structures, companion animals have gradually become important sources of emotional attachment and support for some older adults. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, and data were collected through semi-structured, one-on-one in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were organized into two major categories: “Making a Place in Later Life: Constructing the Everyday Life of Cohabitation” and “Adding Flavor to Later Life: The Bittersweet Experiences Brought by Cohabitation.” The results showed that companion animals entered older adults’ lives through diverse circumstances yet gradually became important presences in their daily routines and emotional worlds. Cohabitation provided profound emotional connections, companionship, and a sense of being needed, while also bringing concerns related to caregiving responsibilities, limited resources, family role conflicts, aging, social change, and loss. The findings highlight the importance of proactively recognizing older adults’ emotional support needs and considering family roles, caregiving resources, age-friendly animal care systems, animal-assisted activities, and alternative technological forms of companionship when developing elder care services.

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