Person-Environment

Fit Model

Lawton, M. P. & Nahemow, L.(1973) Ecology and the aging process. In C. Eisdorfer & M. P. Lawton (Eds.), Psychology of adult development and aging. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, p. 661.

Sometimes the balance between ourselves and our environment is just right…

We balance the demands of life (environmental press)

in our lives because we have the resources (personal competence) to

do so…

children

school parents

finances

appointments

Sometimes our environment places pressure on us and

we feel stressed.

Such as an exam…

STRESS

A certain amount of Environmental Press (stress from the environment) can actually facilitate moving us into

a phase of Maximum Performance Potential.

A+

1st Place

Graduation !

Most of us have learned ways to cope with stress using

various self care activities.

Self-care helps us return to an even balance between

environmental press and our personal competence.

This balance can be disrupted for older adults in the midst of

changes related to aging and/or episodes of illness. Our skill as

nurses can assist older adults to regain their balance so that they

function at their highest level.

Examples of Environmental Press for the Older Adult

Relocation Loss of home, job, spouse,

ability to drive Lack of familiar supports: walker, cane Absence of sensory aids such as

glasses and hearing aids

Intervention: Reduction of Environmental Press

Assess what in the environment is a stressor for the older adult.

Stressors for a cognitively impaired individual will be different from those for a cognitively intact older adult with a high level of independent functioning.

Examples of interventions that reduce environmental press: glasses and hearing aids; orienting cues (clocks and calendars); familiar items from home; noise reduction; and adaptive devices.

Intervention: Increasing Personal Competence

Assess what has served the person in the past to manage stressors and increase personal competence.

Refer to occupational and/or physical therapy, to increase personal skill level to recuperate or adapt to current situation.

Supportive groups: – Religious– Family– Social

What interventions do I use?

The focus on decreasing environmental press and/or facilitating an increase in personal competence depends on each individual and the circumstances.

– For individuals who are cognitively impaired, focus more energy on reduction of environmental press while maintaining their current level of competence for as long as possible.

– For cognitively intact individuals, depending on their level of ability, focus on reduction of environmental press while they learn ways to develop and/or increase their personal competence.

Person-Environment Fit Model was prepared by Catherine Van Son, Ph.D., R.N. for the Older Adult Focus Project, OHSU School of Nursing.