Geroscience: A call for nursing engagement.

BACKGROUND

To date, most work in the emerging field of geroscience has been conducted by basic scientists and geriatricians, rather than nurses. However, many of the fundamental mechanisms targeted by geroscience are influenced by a range of nursing-relevant factors. With a few exceptions, the nursing profession has yet to fully engage in geroscience at a time when nursing's voice and perspective are especially critical to developing the geroscience agenda.

PURPOSE: To provide a high-level overview of the emerging field of geroscience, delineate its relevance to nursing, and propose holistic, innovative actions.

METHODS

This paper calls on nurses to lead as active participants, advocating for a holistic and complementary perspective to broaden the interdisciplinary geroscience movement across nursing education, research, practice, and policy.

DISCUSSION: As the largest and most trusted healthcare profession in the U.S. and globally, nurses are well positioned to advocate for state and federal policies that support a paradigm shift toward understanding aging as a lifelong biological process that warrants a life-course trajectory perspective, involving science communication, prevention efforts, and person-centered care.

CONCLUSION

Nursing must be a leader in the geroscience movement, preparing the next generation to be at the forefront.