Long-term care: a health promotion challenge

Abstract

There is a lack of health promotion for the elderly residing in long-term care facilities. It becomes imperative therefore for the nursing profession to readjust its thinking and practice to include health promotion strategies and interventions for institutionalized elderly in the long-term care sector. From using the empowerment theory in the discussion it is clear that nurses can help the elderly receive health promotion strategies and interventions to help the older person make informed choices about their lifestyle, health and treatment. The elderly population continues to grow and more than likely will spend some part of their life in a long-term care setting. Evidence from studies performed by Robertson (1991), Caserta (1995), Phillips (1994) and McBride (2000) suggests that health promotion efforts positively correlate with improved physical and psychological elements of health for the elderly. Nurses largely determine the kind of care that is given and thus can influence the quality of life that elderly client's experience. By advocating for health promotion interventions and strategies for their elderly clients, nurses are demonstrating to the community, their patients, and institution that nurses do have the power to make and influence change for the better. Nurses advocating for health promotion for their elderly patients not only empower choice, but also create an active and involved elderly population. Health promotion exists at all stages of life and does not cease when one is admitted to a long-term care facility (Hutchings, 1999; McBride, 2000).