Examining Life Goals of Community-Dwelling, Low-Income Older Adults

<p>Self-care and self-management programs are touted as a means to age successfully. Yet, these programs pay little regard to a critical first step —the personal goals of older adults. The capacity to self-identify goals and pursue actions toward goal achievement transcends age. An examination of life goals identified by community-dwelling, low-income older adults indicates that functional performance mechanisms are valued. Maintenance of hea lth and increased physical activity were the two most commonly identified personal goals within a sample of 161 community-dwelling older adults residing in subsidized housing. A third goal, increased socialization, aligns with relevant psychosocial factors and reflects the need to engage with others . The preferences of the older adult placed at the center of the care planning process strategically support goal attainment. Providing an opportunity to create and pursue self-selected life goals of older adults is worth consideration when developing and testing interventions designed to support su ccessful aging.</p><p><b>[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2017; 10(5):205 –214.]</b></p>

Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 20, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research