The meaning of aging and the celebration of years among rural African-American women.

This study considers the meaning of aging from the perspective of a group of frail, rural African-American women living alone in north Florida. They defined aging as both an accumulation of years (eg, up-in-years old) and/or the result of functional impairment (eg, worn-out old). The former is a cause for celebration and the latter often the result of omissions or commissions on the part of the individual and society. Geronotologic nurses are encouraged to observe the client's cultural perspective and incorporate it into the plan of care and consider aging from many perspectives.