title: A concept analysis of individualized aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This analysis sought to define the concept of individualized aging.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The growing older adult population and shortage of health professionals with adequate knowledge of their specialized needs will strain the health care system. The National League for Nursing's Advancing Care Excellence for Seniors (ACES) project has addressed this challenge. The ACES framework identifies three unique concepts integral to delivering high quality care. Clarification of these concepts is needed for educational and research purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rogers and Knafl's evolutionary method of concept analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis identified two antecedents (past experiences and biological aging processes), three attributes (heterogeneity, living with age-related changes and multiple chronic conditions, and risk for complications), and two consequences (complexity of care over time and variability in health outcomes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of individualized aging will allow health care providers to improve the care of older adults.
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cline
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009742:Nursing Theory; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012956:Societies, Nursing / Q000592:standards*