Maintaining health in well older adults: initiatives for schools of nursing and The John A. Hartford Foundation for the 21st century.
In the past century, there has been a substantial increase in the number of older Americans and an increase in their life expectancy at birth. These trends will continue over the next century, marked by further increases in active life expectancy and marked changes in the racial and ethnic composition of the older population. While nursing has traditionally focused on the care of frail older individuals, most older adults--well older adults--enjoy a relatively high level of health and function. In this article, well older adults are defined as those with the physical, mental, social, and spiritual function or resources to meet the needs of everyday living. Recommendations for improving care of well older adults are provided, including reconceptualizing ways of thinking, expanding practice initiatives, building the science of nursing research in geriatrics and gerontology, developing education and training opportunities, and rethinking individual safety within the context of autonomy.
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Box 357266, Seattle, WA, 98195-7266, USA. basiab@u.washington.edu
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D005544:Forecasting; D005582:Foundations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014146:Training Support / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States