Perceptions of weakness and ageing in older adults

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21714851

Int J Older People Nurs. 2011 Jun 30. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2011.00280.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Older adults' perceptions of weakness and ageing.
Rush KL, Watts WE, Stanbury J.
Source
Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, CanadaClinical Instructor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaInstructor, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada.

Abstract
rush k.l., watts w.e. & stanbury j. (2011) Older adults' perceptions of weakness and ageing. International Journal of Older People Nursing00, 000-000 doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2011.00280.x Background.  Age-related weakness, or sarcopenia, has been related to functional disability, falls, frailty and mortality. Although it is one of the most common symptoms older adults link to their functional abilities, to date, no studies have explored older adults' perceptions of weakness and its association with ageing. Aims and objectives.  To understand the meaning of weakness for older adults' and their perceptions of its association with ageing. Designs.  A qualitative descriptive design involved in-depth interviews with 13 community-dwelling older adults. Results.  Weakness was described primarily in two ways: (i) inability and (ii) inward turning. The extreme of weakness, as giving up and giving in, which older adults applied to others, not themselves, prompted them to engage in several efforts at staying strong. These included motivating self-talk, achieving balance, keeping busy and active, and self-validating as a strong person. Older adults' perceptions of the association between weakness and ageing were variable and characterized by considerable ambiguity. Implications for practice.  Nurses must be alert to both the visible and subtler dimensions of weakness. It is important to engage older adults in active strategies that enhance muscle strength while capitalizing on their self-motivating and validating efforts at staying strong.