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Failure to thrive in elderly people: a conceptual analysis
1Advanced Gerontological Nursing Project, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Insights
Failure to thrive (FTT) is analyzed in elderly individuals, drawing from pediatric and gerontological research. This study identifies key attributes, causes, and outcomes associated with FTT in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The concept of 'failure to thrive' (FTT) is well-established in pediatric literature.
- Recently, FTT has gained attention in medical contexts related to malnutrition, weight loss, and depression.
Observation:
- This paper extends the analysis of FTT beyond infants and young children.
- It incorporates insights from gerontological literature to examine FTT in elderly populations.
Findings:
- The study identifies and analyzes the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of FTT in older adults.
- Illustrative case studies are presented to demonstrate various facets of FTT attributes in the elderly.
Implications:
- This research broadens the understanding of failure to thrive across the lifespan.
- It highlights the need for tailored interventions for FTT in geriatric care.
Abstract:
The concept 'failure to thrive' (FTT) has been in the pediatric and child development/child psychiatry literature for many years. Recently it has appeared in the medical literature in relation to malnutrition, weight loss and depression. This paper draws upon the wider concept as applied to infants and young children, as well as on relevant gerontological literature, to analyse FTT as it relates to elderly people. Attributes, antecedents and consequences are identified. Case studies that illustrate the attributes, some of the attributes, or none of the attributes are provided.