Aim: The purpose of these studies was to determine the reliability and validity of the 24 item Perspectives on Caring for Older Patients (PCOP) scale and further develop the scale as a useful tool for measuring nurses' perspectives toward caring for older patients.
Background: Ageism has long been an issue in the U.S.
Currently, per capita health care expenditures in the United States are more than 20% higher than any other country in the world and more than twice the average expenditure for European countries, yet the United States ranks 37th in life expectancy. Clearly, the health care system is not succeeding in improving the health of the US population with its focus on illness care for individuals. A new theoretical approach, critical interactionism, combines symbolic interactionism and critical social theory to provide a guide for addressing health care problems from both an upstream and downstream approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThroughout their history, symbolic interactionism and critical perspective have been viewed as divergent theoretical perspectives with different philosophical underpinnings. A review of their historical and philosophical origins reveals both points of divergence and areas of convergence. Their underlying philosophies of science and views of human freedom are different as is their level of focus with symbolic interactionism having a micro perspective and critical perspective using a macro perspective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough older prisoners may seem an unlikely article topic, the reality is that the likelihood of health care providers encountering a prisoner who has been released is high. In addition, men age 50 and older are the fastest growing age cohort in prisons. Older prisoners consume disproportional health care resources of correctional institutions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOur country's rapidly growing older adult population represents the core business of health care; however, few nurses are adequately prepared to care for their unique needs. This is caused, in part, by the limited attention paid by nursing educators to incorporating basic gerontological nursing principles into undergraduate programs. During the last 7 years, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, through the generous support of the John A.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To characterize physical activity and physical function by stage of change and age in older adults.
Methods: One thousand two hundred thirty-four individuals completed The Yale physical activity survey (YPAS), stage of change for exercise, and the Up-and-Go physical function test.
Results: Most subjects were in the maintenance (50.
The loss of muscle strength, decreased flexibility and range of motion, and decreased sense of balance that frequently accompany aging contribute to falls and functional decline. Even in advanced old age, one can improve strength, decrease the risk of falls, improve cardiorespiratory fitness, and improve ability to live independently. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change is an internationally recognized model that holds much promise for health behavior changes of all types.
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