Readiness to Plan for Aging and Frailty: Examining Contextual Factors.

ABSTRACT

As older adults live longer, individual and societal efforts must be directed toward strategies to promote healthy and successful aging. Planning for aging and frailty offers an opportunity for older adults to optimize their well-being and proactively prepare across their aging trajectory. The current study evaluated the relationship between contextual factors (functional status, frailty, health status, social support) that influence older adults' readiness to engage in planning in five domains of aging (communication, environmental, financial, physical care, cognitive) through the transtheoretical stages of change. Results showed that factors influencing active planning include older age, vulnerability, living situation, and social support. These results add to the discourse on future care planning through a comprehensive approach to planning across a life course perspective, while highlighting the importance of future research at individual and societal levels. Gerontological nurses are well-positioned to lead planning efforts for older adults that promote well-being, patient-centered care, and healthy aging. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(2), 27-35.].