Aging Simulation Program: Improving Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Caring for Older People

Purpose:

This study aimed to explore the effects of an aging simulation program on improving nursing students' attitudes toward caring for older people.

Methods:

The aging simulation program includes 3 stages: Stage 1 was an introduction section; Stage 2 was the aging simulation; and Stage 3 was a post-simulation discussion. All participants completed a post-simulation report after the aging simulation program. The content analysis was conducted to analyze the post-simulation report.

Results:

A total of 67 undergraduate students studying in a gerontological nursing curriculum joined the aging simulation program. The majority of participants was females (92.3%; n=62). Four categories emerged from the data, including: requiring patience and empathy not sympathy, understanding the limitation of aging, creating a friendly and supportive environment, and preparing to face aging of parents and grandparents.

Conclusion:

Results of this study show that nursing students have positive attitudes toward aging. The findings suggest that the use of the aging simulation program in nursing education may prove helpful in enhancing undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward caring for the elderly.