Interview with “Muzzy”
Erica Richardson
Southwest Baptist University College of Nursing

This paper is an exploration of an older adult’s thoughts, experiences and beliefs on the subject of aging. I interviewed “Muzzy” (name changed to her favorite nickname for reasons of confidentiality) using a set of questions provided to me. These questions helped me understand her views on the subject of aging. The interview lasted about 60 minutes and was conducted over the telephone.
Muzzy is a 94 year old widow, who was born and raised in Kentucky with her twin sister and other siblings. She spent most of her life in the southern states. She’s a retired nurse and was the wife of a pediatrician until he passed in the early 80’s. She appears to have lead an active and full life. Undoubtedly she is one of the most vigorous geriatric I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with.
I broached the subject of health with Muzzy and what her thoughts were. She told me that most of her life she had been healthy. She had five living children and had lost one during childbirth, but all had been happy and healthy. She hadn’t been on any sort of medication until the last 18 years after she had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Being a former nurse she had lots of knowledge on the subject, and I’m certain that she knows far more than I do in regards to the subject. Her general idea on health is being able to proceed with her day as she needs to. In the past, she said, she use to consider health as not having any sort of disease, but after the general wear and tear of almost 95 years, she’s realized that it’s impossible to go that long without needing a little help from health care. She’s thankful that she’s able to manage her symptoms through carefully watching her diet and exercising, and taking her medications. She’s had multiple heart surgeries, replacing her