Independence and well-being in later life: three New Zealand studies.
This paper argues that social gerontology is an appropriate methodological lens to investigate independence and well-being in later life and goes on to overview three diverse and independent pieces of research which cross disciplinary boundaries, geographic locations and philosophical terrains. A comparative analysis of the results from these studies identifies that health, economic status and social support influence the concepts of independence and well-being in older people. Nurses, particularly those working in primary health care, are likely to be the first point of contact for many older adults and need to operationalise a holistic assessment framework in order to address all components of ageing that influence independence and well-being in this group of people.
Neville
Stephen
S
School of Health Sciences-Albany, Massey University, Auckland
Keeling
Sally
S
Milligan
Kaye
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009520:New Zealand; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment