Erosion of individuality in care of elderly people in hospital — an alternative approach

This paper will identify and analyse those factors which contribute to the erosion of individuality and identity for those elderly people who are admitted to hospital for care on 'elderly wards'. There is a need to focus attention on and consider the effects of the present system of care provided for the elderly while in hospital as this care can perpetuate the development of dependency and iatrogenesis among the elderly and in the process erodes their self esteem, identity and individuality. The contention of this essay will be that the proposition and usage of King's model of nursing, which advocates greater patient participation through mutual goal setting, keener awareness of the patient's perception and the establishment of an equal, reciprocal and collaborative relationship between nurse and client, can help ameliorate or prevent the development of iatrogenic problems.