Wadensten Barbro, Carlsson Marianne
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
J Adv Nurs. 2003 Mar;41(5):462-70. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02554.x.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These guidelines could support staff in their practical care of older people and could be used as a supplement to enrich the present care.
老年超越理论认为，人类发展是一个延伸至老年阶段的过程。若此过程得到优化，最终会形成一种全新的视角。迈向老年超越的发展进程可能会因生活危机和悲痛而受阻或加速，文化中的因素同样可能促进或阻碍这一进程。同样，照护氛围也可能阻碍或加速迈向老年超越的进程。该理论所引入的观点可能会对工作人员对待老年人的方式及行为产生若干影响，因为它为步入老年提供了一种全新的理解。
本研究的目的是得出可实际应用于老年人照护的指导方针。这些指导方针应有助于促进向老年超越的发展，对已达到老年超越状态的人也应具有价值。
从该理论推导指导方针的方法是焦点小组访谈。老年超越理论被用作激发焦点小组讨论以及整理所提出建议的基础。
得出了侧重于个体、活动和组织三个层面的具体指导方针。这些指导方针描述了在老年人迈向老年超越的过程中支持他们的不同方式。
这些指导方针可为工作人员实际照护老年人提供支持，并可作为丰富现有照护的补充手段。
