The role of CNSs in promoting elderly patients' autonomy in long-term institutions: problems and implications for nursing practice and research.
Autonomy has become an important focus within healthcare. Elderly patients, however, are often denied the right to independent decision making on grounds of incompetence and incapacity. In long-term institutions there are several ways in which the clinical nurse specialist can promote the autonomy of elderly patients. This article provides an overview of the concept of autonomy and discusses some of the problems in its realization in long-term nursing institutions. It also outlines strategies for supporting autonomy in elderly patients and concludes with a discussion of the implications of autonomy to nursing practice and research.
Välimäki
M
M
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing, University of Turku, Finland.
Leino-Kilpi
H
H
Scott
P A
PA
Arndt
M
M
Dassen
T
T
Lemonidou
C
C
Gasull
M
M
Cabrera
E
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010358:Patient Participation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D014481:United States