An explication of nursing and family caring for older adults

The purpose of this article is to present a holistic approach to the care of older adults by family members who are steadily assuming more responsibility for their care. Nurses can greatly enhance this care through the establishment of collaborative partnerships with family caregivers. Nursing and family caring as collaborative partnerships build on Harvath et al.'s work on establishing partnerships with family caregivers and Bowers' theory of intergenerational caregiving. Through the use of nursing and family caring as collaborative partnerships, nurses can empower family members to promote the health of older adults.