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Forgetfulness and older adults: concept analysis.
1Clinical Nurse Manager Health Service Executive, Northwest Dublin, Ireland. ballardj@tcd.ie
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|April 14, 2010
Summary
Forgetfulness in older adults can be a normal part of aging or a sign of cognitive impairment. Understanding the difference is crucial for nurses to provide appropriate care and support for seniors experiencing memory changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nursing Science
- Cognitive Health
Background:
- Perceived forgetfulness causes distress in older adults due to dementia stigma.
- Distinguishing normal aging forgetfulness from cognitive impairment is vital for nurses.
- Clarifying these differences aids in effective screening and care for the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the concept of forgetfulness in older adults.
- To differentiate between normal age-related forgetfulness and pathological memory loss.
- To inform nursing practice regarding memory assessment and care for older populations.
Main Methods:
- Concept analysis using Rodgers' evolutionary method.
- Literature search of CINAHL, EMBASE, and Internurse (1962-2009).
- Inclusion of gerontology textbooks in the review.
Main Results:
- Slight increases in forgetfulness (e.g., prospective memory) are common with aging and can be managed by focus.
- Certain forgetfulness patterns in older adults may indicate underlying disease processes.
- Awareness of forgetfulness can negatively impact older adults' emotional well-being and self-esteem.
Conclusions:
- Avoid stigmatizing or dismissing older adults' concerns about forgetfulness.
- Further research on nurse-led memory screening tools and benefits is recommended.
- Nurses need enhanced training in memory assessment and clear referral pathways for abnormal findings.
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