Adapted education for the elderly: An evolutionary concept analysis

Many health programs provide “counseling” services that aim to support clients in their self-care. Although the concept of adapted education for the elderly is important for nursing practice, there is currently no consensus of its definition. An analysis of “adapted education for the elderly” following the six steps of Rodgers’ evolutionary approach was conducted in order to identify the essential characteristics of the concept and to define its use in nursing. A literature review drawing upon several databases (Abstract in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, CINAHL, ERIC, and PsycINFO) identified twenty-six papers on this subject published between 1988 and 2016. After analysis, four key characteristics were identified to describe the concept: the uniqueness of the older learner, the presence of a competent and aware educator, the four-step process of the session, and the use of adapted teaching strategies for the older learner. Finally, the use of this concept in nursing remains erratic. To facilitate its operationalization, more studies and theories must be developed on the subject.