Declining functional performance (e.g., in bathing, dressing, transferring, continence, ambulation, and stair climbing)
has a great impact on older individuals and also on health care resources. For older adults across all care settings,
loss of function alters the type and amount of nursing required, increases individuals risk of sequelae from
immobility, and influences quality of life. Functional impairments have multifactorial causes and can be exacerbated
by nursing care that creates dependency. In contrast, restorative care nursing focuses on the restoration
and/or maintenance of physical function and helps older adults compensate for functional impairments and reach
their highest level of function.