Health, Well-Being, Gender, and Dignity in Nursing Care for Older Adults

This article reflects on the concepts of health, well-being, gender, and dignity when providing nursing care to older adults, focusing on their wisdom and the phenomena that can affect their health or improve their quality of life. These concepts are analyzed based on the current health conditions of older adults and their needs, on the perspectives of authors in this field of research, and on Patricia Benner's philosophy: the integration of science, clinical wisdom, and ethics in nursing practice. Furthermore, this article aims at contributing to the health, well-being, gender, and dignity of older adults, despite the discrimination that they may face, as well as to the reality of nursing practice. As such, this study stems from the observed reality, experiences as caregivers and reflection of nurses committed to the values of the profession. Therefore, the article begins with the conceptualization of health, well-being, gender, and dignity, subsequently analyzing the health-disease status of older adults from a gender perspective, addressing nursing care for older adults based on Patricia Benner's philosophy and concluding with reflections on nursing practice for a better future for older adults.