Health promotion is an integral part of nursing care. The Ottawa Charter of health promotion defines it as "the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health" (World Health Organization, 1986, pg. 1). In the nursing specialty of gerontology, health promotion plays an essential role in enhancing the quality of life of elderly patients. While many older adults remain active throughout their life, a large segment takes on a sedentary lifestyle. Discouraged by their age and/or health status, many older adults wrongfully believe they are “too old” or that it is “too late” to engage in physical activity. As health care professionals, gerontological nurses have the responsibility of providing health promotion that
