高齡者生理復原力之概念分析

Physical Resilience in Older Adults: A Concept Analysis

急性疾病及後續住院治療是高齡者常見的重大壓力來源，可能導致失能與死亡等負向結果。生理復原力意指高齡者能對抗／延緩功能衰退而恢復健康的能力，若護理人員與高齡者成為夥伴關係，協助其展現生理復原力，可促進疾病與功能恢復。目前，對於高齡者生理復原力的定義、內涵與測量仍然缺乏共識。故本文根據Walker和Avant（1995）概念分析方法，歸納高齡者生理復原力之定義性特徵為：（1）個體需經歷新或急性壓力源（事件包含外來事件及個體本身疾病）、（2）個體具備較佳的生理儲備能力，以及（3）個體能阻抗功能衰退。運用案例加以說明，並提供實證性參考指標及介紹護理研究與實務面之應用。期望藉此概念分析，增進護理人員瞭解高齡者生理復原力概念，將此應用於臨床照護或研究上。

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.