Premium
Promoting autonomy and independence for older people within nursing practice: an observational study
Author(s) -
Davies Sue,
Ellis Lorraine,
Laker Sara
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2000.00348.x
Subject(s) - autonomy , operationalization , independence (probability theory) , observational study , nursing , older people , psychology , medicine , gerontology , political science , philosophy , statistics , mathematics , epistemology , pathology , law
• Although autonomy and independence are widely held to be important goals of care for older people, these terms lack precise definition and operationalization in the literature. • This paper reports on observational data gathered as part of an evaluation of educational programmes in the nursing care of older people. • Strategies which appear both to promote and inhibit autonomy and independence of older patients in a range of care settings are described. • Recommendations are made for further research to explore the extent to which autonomy and independence are appropriate goals of care for older people with cognitive impairment.