Introduction

Adults pass through several stages of development, including early adulthood, middle adulthood, and older adulthood. The American Psychological Association (2023) explains that older adulthood begins when an individual is approximately 65 years old. The number of older adults in the United States is steadily increasing. According to the United States Census Bureau (2023), the number of older adults in the United States increased by more than 38 percent between 2010 and 2020. As of the 2020 census, 55.8 million older adults comprise more than 16 percent of the U.S. population. Similar to other age groups, older adults experience predictable changes. Many common changes are associated with aging; however, the physical, psychological, and psychosocial transitions are not universal. Although individuals pass through these stages at their own pace, nurses can identify patterns in aging to guide the nursing care process. How older adults experience developmental changes depends on lifestyle choices, disease states, health conditions, social circumstances, and social determinants of health (SDOHs).

Nurses working across various specialties encounter older adults in their practice. Providing exceptional care depends on how well nurses understand the general changes associated with each life stage and how to apply nursing care during those stages. A range of developmental theories associated with aging inform day-to-day practice for nurses, such as the psychosocial development theory, disengagement theory, activity theory, and the human needs theory. Theories related to the progression of psychological changes in adulthood help nurses prepare individuals for expected and unexpected health events and transitions.

Health risks in older adults are not universal and depend on lifestyle factors, age, and heredity. However, since some health risks are more common as individuals age, nurses can be attentive to opportunities for delivering care and education aimed at mitigating these risks through health promotion and disease prevention. A nurse’s role in preventing illness is varied. Nurses are poised on the frontlines to promote wellness for all individuals regardless of their risk for chronic disease. Nurses can empower individuals to improve their health, even as they age.