Older adults' definitions of health: A metasynthesis.
BACKGROUND
Despite many gerontological studies focusing on the health of older adults, little attention has been paid to their perceptions of health. Understanding older adults' health perceptions is important because their self-perceptions are important predictors of and strongly related to survival and mortality. Older adults have different perceptions of health compared with younger adults because of their age-related changes, diseases, and limitations. There are also differences between older adults' and health professionals' perceptions of health.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesize qualitative studies that have explored older adults' perceptions of health.


METHODS
Four electronic databases were searched for qualitative studies published from the earliest year to 2013, revealing 12 studies for inclusion. The systematic review employed three components of the meta-study including meta-data-analysis, meta-method, and meta-theory.


RESULTS
Five health themes are identified from the included studies: ability to do something independently, absence or management of symptoms, acceptance and adjustment with optimism, connectedness with others, and feeling enough energy.


CONCLUSIONS
Future gerontological research should use appropriate existing health theories and develop new health theories specific to older adults. Healthcare providers should evaluate and revise their health definitions according to older adults' health perceptions and provide appropriate health interventions. Policymakers should have an in-depth understanding of older adults' health perceptions to establish effective older-adult-centered health policies.
Seoul National University, College of Nursing. The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: msong@snu.ac.kr.
Misoon
M
Song
Gachon University, College of Nursing, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ehkong@gachon.ac.kr.
Eun-Hi
EH
Kong
D000368:Aged; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans
Aged; Health; Qualitative research; Review