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- Wadensten, Barbro, et al.
(författare)
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A qualitative study of nursing staff members´ interpretations of signs of gerotranscendence
- 2001
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Ingår i: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 36:5, s. 635-642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims This study was conducted in Sweden and investigated whether nursing staff working with old people could recognize signs of gerotranscendence and, if so, how they interpreted such signs. Another aim was to describe how the staff addressed and cared for older people, 65 and older, showing signs of gerotranscendence. Background The theory of gerotranscendence is a theory that, present a new understanding of the ageing process. Gerotranscendence is regarded as a natural developmental process, and the term transcendence implies a shift in an older person's meta-perspective and a new outlook on reality. Methods Proceeding from Tornstam's description of signs of gerotranscendence, an interview guide was designed, qualitative interviews performed and the theory of gerotranscendence was used as the basis for the qualitative analysis. Findings Findings showed that staff working with old people noticed signs of gerotranscendence. However, their interpretations were highly variable; in some cases such signs were interpreted as what might be interpreted as 'pathological'. This is probably because the staff had no theoretical tools with which to make other interpretations. Some signs were interpreted as common and in some cases as 'normal'. These could be theoretically understood from either an activity or developmental perspective. Conclusions Staffs' need an interpretative framework allowing them to understand the signs they sometimes observe in older people. Having an interpretative framework in which these signs are seen as normal aspects of ageing would enable staff to develop a different attitude towards older people and another approach to caring for them.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Wadensten, Barbro, 1954-
(författare)
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Gerotranscendence from a Nursing Perspective – from Theory to Implementation
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aim of the present thesis was to gain further knowledge about the nursing theoretical basis of care of older people, to translate the theory of gerotranscendence into practical guidelines, and to implement the theory and guidelines in practical settings.Study I comprised a literature search and a review with qualitative analysis of nursing theories. The conclusion drawn was that nursing theories do not provide guidance on how to care for older people or on how to support them in the developmental process of ageing. Thus, there is a need to develop a nursing care model that, more than contemporary theories, takes human ageing into consideration.Study II was a qualitative interview study involving staff working in care of older people. The interviews were qualitatively analysed. The conclusion was that staff members need an interpretative framework that allows them to understand the signs they sometimes observe in older people. Such a framework would enable staff to develop a broader approach to their care for older people. Parts of this framework can be found in the theory of gerotranscendence.In Study III, guidelines for practical care of older people were derived from the theory of gerotranscendence. Focus group interviews were used and other sources supporting the guidelines were given. A qualitative analysis of the interviews was carried out, and the theory of gerotranscendence was used as the theoretical framework. The guidelines could be used to promote a development toward gerotranscendence and could also be of value for people who have already attained a state of gerotranscendence. The guidelines focus on the individual, activities and the organisation.In Study IV, the theory of gerotranscendence and practical guidelines were introduced in a nursing home. Data were collected via qualitative interviews with staff and residents, and observations were made. Qualitative analysis and triangulation were performed. As theoretical frameworks, both the theory of gerotranscendence and innovation theory were used. The result showed that the most used guidelines were those focusing on the individual; these concern what each staff member could do in his/her relation to the resident and care. The findings showed further that those staff members who interpreted signs in line with the theory of gerotranscendence also used the guidelines. The staff who were early to adopt and promote the guidelines were those individuals who described a feeling of harmony with essential parts of the gerotranscendence theory.The most important finding of this thesis was that it was possible to translate a theory such that it could generate practical guidelines that could be used by the staff. There are probably many theories that could be translated in order to be implemented in practical care, e.g. to build a bridge between theory and practice, thereby helping staff. Innovation theory could be of general interest in all contexts in which work towards change is being conducted.
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| 4. |
- Wadensten, Barbro, et al.
(författare)
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Nursing theory views on how to support the process of ageing
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 42:2, s. 118-124
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: An important purpose of theories is to challenge practice, create new approaches to practice and remodel the structures of rules and principles. Therefore, it is of interest to study whether it is possible to make use of nursing theories in care of older people, when the aim is to support them in the process of ageing. AIM: To review 17 well-known nursing theories/models in order to delineate the views on ageing presented and discover whether there are descriptions of how nursing care of older people could be organized. METHODS: Seventeen nursing theories/models originating over a 30-year period from the early 1960s to the early 1990s were chosen. A search of CINAHL was done and lists of reference from books were used to find original sources. For the review, a list of research questions were formulated and addressed to each theory. RESULTS: Results showed that most nursing theorists see human ageing from a developmental perspective, but do not discuss what ageing implies. In only a few theories are some important aspects of nursing care of older people discussed, but no concrete instructions are given on how to apply these to nursing care. CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop a nursing care model that - more than other contemporary theories - takes into consideration human ageing.
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| 6. |
- Wadensten, Barbro, et al.
(författare)
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Theory-driven guidelines for practical care of older people, based on the theory of gerotranscendence
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 41:5, s. 462-470
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: The theory of gerotranscendence states that human development is a process extending into old age. When optimized, this process ends in a new perspective. The developmental process towards gerotranscendence can be obstructed or accelerated by life crises and grief, but elements in the culture can also facilitate or impede the process. Similarly, the caring climate can obstruct or accelerate the process toward gerotranscendence. The view introduced by the theory may have several consequences for staff treatment of and actions towards older people, as it offers a new understanding of living into old age. AIM: The aim of the present study was to derive guidelines for practical use in the care of older people. The guidelines should be used to promote a development toward gerotranscendence and should also be of value for people who already have attained a state of gerotranscendence. METHODS: The method of deriving guidelines from the theory was focus group interviews. The theory of gerotranscendence was used as a foundation for stimulating the discussions in the focus groups as well as for organizing the proposals that emerged. FINDINGS: Concrete guidelines at three levels, focusing on the individual, activity and organization, were derived. The guidelines describe different ways to support older people in their process towards gerotranscendence. CONCLUSION: These guidelines could support staff in their practical care of older people and could be used as a supplement to enrich the present care.
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