Increased life expectancy is considered one of the greatest medical, social, and technological achievements in contemporary society. A 60-year-old Australian today, on average, is expected to have a further 25 years added to life, and globally, this trend has been observed in both developed and developing nations (
World Health Organization 2022
). However, this longevity also presents two important facets to ageing: (i) people living longer and healthier lives; or (ii) people living longer with chronic illness and disability. For example, there has been a significant reduction of mortality from chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes (World Health Organization (2022). Data platform: maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing: ageing country profile. Available from: https://platform.who.int/data/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-ageing/static-visualizations/ageing-country-profile. [Accessed 10 October 2022].
Magliano et al., 2022
), resulting in more older people managing and living with this chronic condition up into their 80s-90s.From a sociocultural perspective, ageing parents, spouses, and partners who serve as main caregivers of ageing individuals living with cognitive impairment and intellectual disabilities encounter a unique set of challenges concerning their own needs as well as the care needs of those they are caring for (
Montayre et al., 2019
). Moreover, increasing concerns are being raised among ageing individuals that have been marginalised in care; for example, those in LGBTQI communities, and or culturally diverse older adults and late-life immigrants (Neville et al., 2018
; Willis et al., 2016
). Care becomes more complex for older people with increasing morbidity and higher use of health care and social services. While technological advances provide potential opportunities for innovative models of care, complexities with resources, ageism and workforce issues remain an ongoing challenge. Older persons’ mental health, workforce education, and health-promoting public health approaches to palliative care represent other key areas of increasing need (Abel et al., 2021
; Kellehear, 2015
; - Kellehear A.
Compassionate communities: caring for older people towards the end of life.
In palliative care for older people: A public health perspective. Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK2015: 193-199https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oSo/9780198717614.003.0018
Mills et al., 2021
). Internationally, it is recognised across societies that populations are ageing with growing challenges to providing appropriate care across the lifespan. Thus, improving care for older people is a global priority.This special issue focuses on all aspects involved with caring for older people in contemporary societies. While clinical aged care is often the synonymous of caring for older people (
Bonus et al., 2022
; - Bonus C.G.
- Northall T.
- Hatcher D.
- Montayre J.
Experiences of perioperative care among ethnically diverse older adult patients: an integrative review.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.07.006
Saunders et al., 2022
), this collection also features research evidence with implications for social care policies (i.e., driving and dementia) (- Saunders R.
- Crookes K.
- Gullick K.
- Gallagher O.
- Seaman K.
- Scaini D.
- et al.
Nurses leading volunteer support for older adults in hospital: a discussion paper.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.08.005
Ho et al., 2022
; - Ho M.H.
- Chien H.W.
- Tsai W.C.
- Chi Y.J.
- Tang L.Y.
- Traynor V.
- et al.
Driving decision-making among older adults with dementia in Taiwan: a longitudinal study.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.04.007XXX
Rawson et al., 2022
), contrasting geographical settings in terms of promoting healthy ageing (rural vs urban) (- Rawson H.
- Rigby K.
- Ockerby C.
- Forbes H.
Older people's experiences of community engagement in aged care: a qualitative study.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.010
Deng et al., 2022
), and studies aimed at future-proofing the aged care workforce through education and addressing ageist stereotypes using intergenerational approach (- Deng S.Y.
- Zhao I.Y.
- Ho M.H.
- Saravanakumar P.
- Molassiotis A.
- Montayre J.
Rural-urban disparities in healthy ageing: evidence from a national study in China.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.008
Gurung et al., 2022
; - Gurung A.
- Edwards S.
- Romeo M.
- Craswell A.
A tale of two generations: case study of intergenerational living in residential aged care.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.08.002
Martyn et al., 2022
; - Martyn J.A.
- Wilkinson A.
- Zanella S.
Identifying the continuing education needs of personal care workers in two residential aged care facilities by an appreciative inquiry study.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.09.009
Rayner et al., 2022
).- Rayner J.A.
- Fetherstonhaugh D.
- Beattie E.
- Harrington A.
- Jeon Y.H.
- Moyle W.
- et al.
Australian nursing students’ clinical experiences in residential aged care: reports from nurse academics.
Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.003
This volume of work attests to the growing body of evidence from robust research with the fields of ageing and aged care nursing, both at and beyond the bedside. In addressing factors and strategies that holistically contribute to quality clinical care, as well as promoting healthy ageing, the contributions to this special issue demonstrate that the nursing profession is highly capable in terms of generating research evidence to improve the care provided to older people. However, it would be disheartening if such compelling evidence was not acted on or translated into real-world policies and practice change.
As editors of this special issue, we encourage readers and contributors to progress the translation of this work toward improving the care provided to older people. One potential step, in Australia, for example, would be taking action to progress and actively contribute to the implementation of the 148 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care. Internationally, exploring ways to progress cross-country and interdisciplinary collaborations to contribute toward the goals of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative would no-doubt prove impactful. As the largest health-care workforce, the nursing profession is well-positioned to advocate for older peoples’ right to quality and dignified care—to lead the way in improving care for older people.
References
- Access to palliative care reimagined.Future Healthcare Journal. 2021; 8: e699-e702https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0040
- Experiences of perioperative care among ethnically diverse older adult patients: an integrative review.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.07.006
- Rural-urban disparities in healthy ageing: evidence from a national study in China.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.008
- A tale of two generations: case study of intergenerational living in residential aged care.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.08.002
- Driving decision-making among older adults with dementia in Taiwan: a longitudinal study.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.04.007XXX
- Compassionate communities: caring for older people towards the end of life.In palliative care for older people: A public health perspective. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK2015: 193-199https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oSo/9780198717614.003.0018
- Trends in all-cause mortality among people with diagnosed diabetes in high-income settings: a multicountry analysis of aggregate data.The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2022; 10: 112-119https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00327-2
- Identifying the continuing education needs of personal care workers in two residential aged care facilities by an appreciative inquiry study.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.09.009
- Palliative care education in the Asia Pacific: challenges and progress towards palliative care development.Progress in Palliative Care. 2021; 29: 251-254https://doi.org/10.1080/09699260.2021.1976951
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- Promoting age-friendly communities: an integrative review of inclusion for older immigrants.Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology. 2018; 33: 427-440https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-018-9359-3
- Older people's experiences of community engagement in aged care: a qualitative study.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.010
- Australian nursing students’ clinical experiences in residential aged care: reports from nurse academics.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.06.003
- Nurses leading volunteer support for older adults in hospital: a discussion paper.Collegian. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.08.005
- Swimming upstream: the provision of inclusive care to older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in residential and nursing environments in Wales.Ageing & Society. 2016; 36: 282-306https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X14001147
World Health Organization (2022). Data platform: maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing: ageing country profile. Available from: https://platform.who.int/data/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-ageing/static-visualizations/ageing-country-profile. [Accessed 10 October 2022].
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Published online: November 01, 2022
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© 2022 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
