[Physical Resilience in Older Adults: A Concept Analysis].

Abstract

Acute illness and hospitalization, key stressors for older adults, are associated with significantly elevated risks of disability and mortality. Physical resilience is defined as the ability of an individual to resist or recover from functional decline following health stressors. Nurses working in partnership with older adults to assist their development of physical resilience can promote disease and functional recovery. However, the definition, concept, and measurement of physical resilience in older adults lack consensus in the literature. Using the conceptual analysis approach of Walker and Avant (1995), the defining characteristics of physical resilience in older adults identified in this article include: (1) experiencing a new or acute stressor, (2) having sufficient physiological reserves to address this stressor, and (3) having the capacity to resist functional decline. These characteristics are demonstrated using case examples that offer relevant empirical indicators and highlight their application in nursing research and practice. This analysis is hoped to help improve the understanding of physical resilience in older adults among nurses and suggest pathways for application in clinical practice.