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Introduction "If we spent as much time feeling positive about getting older, as we do trying to stay young, how much

different our lives would be", said Rob Brown. In other words, what an individual did when he was young continues to do it during his progressing age, has a great impact to his self concept, quality of life and aging process. Aging, meanwhile, is defined by the medical dictionary as the beginning of the human body to be more vulnerable to daily wear and tear and there is a decline in physical, possibly mental functioning. Unfortunately, negative attitude toward aging or elders exist among some health care professionals and the community known as ageism. Old people, they say, are of little benefit to the society. This statement is untrue because many who are healthy continue to work on full or part-time basis as professionals. Work offers the old people a sense of self-worth and continues long-established routines (Kozier, 2008). Another myth refuted by the statement above is that old people are a drain on the societys resources. The purpose of this concept paper is to reinforce the knowledge of the health care providers to integrate in the health education the importance of ongoing physical, social and mental activity even after middle age to promote satisfaction of life and delay some changes related to old age. Theoretical Framework Activity theory by Havighurst states that the more the elderly person is active, the more likely they are satisfied with their life. In addition, according to this theory the best way to age is to stay active physically and mentally. Furthermore, the theory presents a few assumptions; activity is a means to prolong middle age and delay the

negative effects of old age, inactivity negatively impacts ones self concept and perceived quality of life and hastens aging; the process of aging leaves people alone and cut-off; standards and expectations of middle age should be projected to older age and aging persons should be encouraged to expand and involved. These assumptions can help the health care provider to be effective in his health teaching to the elderly. Assessment utilizing the activity theory involves knowing the clients activities during his middle age and the activities he continues to do (activities include social, physical and mental activities), self-concept ones mental image of oneself (Kozier, 2008) quality of life refers to the general well-being of the individual and satisfaction in life a measure of well-being. Diagnosis utilizing the abovementioned theory would focus on self-esteem ones judgment of ones self worth, anxiety vague uneasy feeling of discomfort, role performance patterns of behavior and self expression congruent to norms, expectation and environmental context and social interactionability to establish and maintain relationships (Doenges, 2008). Planning for implementation of nursing care related to activity theory is for the client to identify physical, social and mental activities to improve the clients self concept, perceived quality of life and satisfaction of life. Also, the client will be able to demonstrate physical, social and mental activities to improve the clients self concept, perceived quality of life and satisfaction of life. The goal is for the client to verbalize a positive self concept and quality of life and a high degree of satisfaction in life. The major focus of care congruent to the assumptions of the theory is health education regarding the importance of indulgence to social, mental and physical activities. In

addition, health education to the community is essential to correct their mentality, standards and expectations towards the elderly. Evaluation of the result of implementation is easily identified when the client verbalizes his self concept, degree of satisfaction to life and perception of quality of life.

Conclusion The researcher concludes that integration of activity theory in the health education of the elderly client and the nursing process will greatly affect the client to achieve a high degree of satisfaction in life, positive self concept and perceive a good quality of life. Moreover, the researcher concludes that activity theory is essential in the health education of the community to correct the erroneous perception about their standards and expectations towards the elderly.

Bibliography Books Doenges, Marilynn et al. (2006) Nursing Care Plans. 10th edition.FA Davis Doenges, Marilynn et al. (2008) Nurses Pocket Guide. 11th edition.FA Davis Kozier, Barbara et.al.2008. Fundamentals of Nursing.8th edition.Pearson Prentice Hall Internet sources Theories of aging (2011). Retrieved September 23, 2011 From http://www.angelfire.com/ns/southeasternnurse/TheoriesofAgingC3.html Activity theory (2006). Retrieved September 23, 2011 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_theory Quality of life (2006). Retrieved September 23, 2011 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life

NURSING CARE OF ELDERLY CLIENTS UTILIZING ACTIVITY THEORY

A Concept Paper Presented to The Faculty of the College of Nursing Cebu Normal University

In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing

John Louie E. Escarda BSN IV - C

September 2011

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