NURS303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Gerontological Nursing, Disengagement Theory, Geriatrics
15 Dec 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
This is the term most often used by nurses specializing in this field: gerontic nursing: the art and practice of nurturing, caring for, and comforting older patients, rather than merely the treatment of disease. Myths and stereotypes about older adults: stereotyped as ill and disabled forgetful, confused, rigid, bored, unfriendly, and unable to understand and learn new information they become unattractive and worthless to society after they leave the workforce. Ageism: discrimination against people because of increasing age. Stochastic theories: view aging as the result of random cellular damage over time. The accumulated damage leads to the physical changes characteristic of the aging process. Nonstochastic theories: genetically programmed physiological mechanisms within the body control the process of aging. Disengagement theory: aging individuals withdraw from customary roles and engage in more introspective, self-focused activities as society disengages from them. Activity theory: the continuation of activities performed during middle age is considered necessary for successful aging.
