Community elderly. A nursing center's use of change theory as a model

1. Despite functional limitations, independent elders usually voice satisfaction with the quality of their lives. However, life satisfaction can have a negative impact on self-care. As a result, older adults may become complacent about personal health practices. 2. Improvement in health behaviors and self-care practices increases the probability that older persons will be able to maintain independent functioning for a longer period. 3. Change theory can be used to determine client readiness to change health behaviors. The first stage, unfreezing, involves a desire for change. During the second stage, moving, new behaviors are identified that are perceived as problem-solving approaches. During the last stage, refreezing, new behaviors are integrated and internalized, while advice, reinforcement, and support are offered by the change agent. 4. Health screening alone is insufficient to create the discomfort necessary for change; unfreezing does not occur and health attitudes and behaviors remain unchanged. As valuable as health screening sessions are in raising participants' awareness, the study reported on suggests that it is the combination of health screening and nursing visits over time that creates the atmosphere in which change can occur.