At the same visit, blood samples were obtained to assess
vitamin B and thyroid levels. The partner agreed to monitor
Mr. B until he could be seen. Following the gerontologist’s
examination, the nurse and doctor agreed that an urgent
brain scan was necessary, and Mr. B had the test that day.
The CT revealed a large brain mass that was diagnosed by a
neurosurgeon several days later as inoperable. Mr. B was
admitted to a hospice and died peacefully within 2 months of
the diagnosis.
Discussion
In this paper, I have attempted to clarify the concept of
forgetfulness in older adults through identification of the
term’s attributes, antecedents and consequences over time.
Limitations of this analysis include the small volume of
literature written by nursing scholars on the topic; of the 44
sources reviewed, only nine were derived from nursing
literature. In addition, the neurobiological findings related
to forgetfulness in ageing are so recent that replication has
not been possible at this time. Thus, a comprehensive review
of the literature on all causes of forgetfulness is intentionally
limited in relation to nursing.
Theoretical framework
If nursing is to benefit from concept analysis, then identification
of where that concept lies within a theoretical
framework is needed; this will allow for operationalization
of the concept’s definition as it applies to the nursing field
(Paley 1996). Therefore, the concept of forgetfulness in the
older adult evokes the question, ‘What role do nurses have in
applying the knowledge derived from this analysis?’
Meredith Flood’s mid-range theory of successful aging
(Flood 2005) has potential utility for nurses working in all
settings in relation to this concept. Her theory states that
‘functional performance mechanisms encompass the ways
that a person responds to the cumulative physiological and
functional changes’ occurring as part of the ageing process
(p.38). The ability to transcend challenges encountered on
three levels of living (i.e. functional performance mechanisms,
intrapsychic factors and spirituality) through various
adaptation processes unique to each individual leads to
successful ageing. Flood states that the nurse’s role in
facilitating these transitions can occur at any point in the
coping process as the three levels are related to each
other. Specific to forgetfulness in older adults, this theory
lends itself to interventions such as minimizing distractions
to enhance comprehension in health promotion attempts,
assessing clients for impairment and coordination of follow-on care if needed, and reassurance when appropriate.
Flood’s model is very parsimonious in that nurses can
tailor interventions based on client-centred concerns as well
as professionally-assessed need without multiple steps, thus
acknowledging and addressing subjective concerns while
objectively assessing for deficits. Therefore, Flood’s theory
offers a framework to develop nursing interventions related
to forgetfulness in both the healthy ageing state and when
pathology exists. Research in applying this model would
assist the profession in developing best practice methods
related to successful ageing with this as well as other
age-related changes.
At the same visit, blood samples were obtained to assess
ในการเยี่ยมชมเดียวกันตัวอย่างเลือดที่ได้รับการประเมินวิตามินบีและระดับของต่อมไทรอยด์ vitamin B and thyroid levels. The partner agreed to monitor
พันธมิตรตกลงที่จะตรวจสอบนาย B Mr. B until he could be seen. Following the gerontologist’s
examination, the nurse and doctor agreed that an urgent
brain scan was necessary, and Mr. B had the test that day.
The CT revealed a large brain mass that was diagnosed by a
neurosurgeon several days later as inoperable. Mr. B was
admitted to a hospice and died peacefully within 2 months of
the diagnosis.
Discussion
In this paper, I have attempted to clarify the concept of
forgetfulness in older adults through identification of the
term’s attributes, antecedents and consequences over time.
Limitations of this analysis include the small volume of
literature written by nursing scholars on the topic; of the 44
sources reviewed, only nine were derived from nursing
literature. In addition, the neurobiological findings related
to forgetfulness in ageing are so recent that replication has
not been possible at this time. Thus, a comprehensive review
of the literature on all causes of forgetfulness is intentionally
limited in relation to nursing.
Theoretical framework
If nursing is to benefit from concept analysis, then identification
of where that concept lies within a theoretical
framework is needed; this will allow for operationalization
of the concept’s definition as it applies to the nursing field
(Paley 1996). Therefore, the concept of forgetfulness in the
older adult evokes the question, ‘What role do nurses have in
applying the knowledge derived from this analysis?’
Meredith Flood’s mid-range theory of successful aging
(Flood 2005) has potential utility for nurses working in all
settings in relation to this concept. Her theory states that
‘functional performance mechanisms encompass the ways
that a person responds to the cumulative physiological and
functional changes’ occurring as part of the ageing process
(p.38). The ability to transcend challenges encountered on
three levels of living (i.e. functional performance mechanisms,
intrapsychic factors and spirituality) through various
adaptation processes unique to each individual leads to
successful ageing. Flood states that the nurse’s role in
facilitating these transitions can occur at any point in the
coping process as the three levels are related to each
other. Specific to forgetfulness in older adults, this theory
lends itself to interventions such as minimizing distractions
to enhance comprehension in health promotion attempts,
assessing clients for impairment and coordination of follow-on care if needed, and reassurance when appropriate.
Flood’s model is very parsimonious in that nurses can
tailor interventions based on client-centred concerns as well
as professionally-assessed need without multiple steps, thus
acknowledging and addressing subjective concerns while
objectively assessing for deficits. Therefore, Flood’s theory
offers a framework to develop nursing interventions related
to forgetfulness in both the healthy ageing state and when
pathology exists. Research in applying this model would
assist the profession in developing best practice methods
related to successful ageing with this as well as other
age-related changes.
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