Another name for older adult

 Geriatrics
 Aging
 Aged
 Over-the-hill
 Elderly
 Senescent
 Senior

What is GERIATRICS
 The term geriatrics comes from the Greek word geron meaning “old man”, and iatros meaning
“healer”. However, geriatrics is sometimes called medical gerontology

AGING
 Is not merely the passage of time. It is the manifestation of biological events that occur in a span
of time.
 People aged differently.
 Change in aging body happened through process, some systems slow down, while others lose
their “fine tuning”.
 In conclusion as a general rule, slight, gradual changes are common and expected as one ages.

Gerontological Nursing
 Gerontology, or geriatric, nursing is a specialty focused on the care of older adults.
 Gerontology nursing is a broad specialty where nurses may work in long-term care facilities,
with home healthcare services and in hospice, caring for patients with limited mobility, impaired
mental abilities, and those in pain

Ageism
 Ageism, also spelled agism, is stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups
on the basis of their age.
 This may be casual or systematic.
 The term was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against seniors,
and patterned on sexism and racism.

The seven signs of ageing

 Fine lines and wrinkles. Fine lines, crow's feet and wrinkles are the most evident and often most
concern-causing signs of ageing for men and women.
 Dullness of skin. The glowing, dewy skin of youth slowly fades with age
 Uneven skin tone.
 Dry skin.
 Blotchiness and age spots.
 Rough skin texture.
 Visible pores.

A geriatric nurse
 Gerontological nurse, is a type of nurse that helps care for aging and elderly individuals.
 They are trained to be able to perform traditional nursing duties, yet they also have special
training that helps them better understand the special needs of many elderly people.
Landmarks in the Development of Gerontological Nursing
 1902 - American Journal of Nursing (AJN) publishes first geriatric article by a physician
 1904 - AJN publishes first geriatric article by a Registered Nurse
 1925 - AJN considers geriatric nursing as a potential specialty.
 1950 - First geriatric nursing textbook, Geriatric Nursing (Newton), published. First master’s in
geriatric nursing completed by Eleanor Pingrey.
 1970 - ANA creates the Standard of Practice for Geriatric Nursing
 1976 - ANA Geriatric Nursing Division changes name to Gerontological Nursing Division
 1984 - National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) established.
 1987 - ANA Revises Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice.
 2004 - American Nurses Credentialing Center’s first computerized generalist certification exam is
for the gerontological nurse
 2005 - Journal of Gerontological Nursing Celebrates 30 years.
 2008 - Geriatric Nursing journal celebrates 30 years journal of Gerontological Nursing Research
emerges.

Gerontology
 Is the broad term used to define the study of aging or the aged. This includes the
biopsychosocial aspects of aging.

Older age divided into:

 Young old - (65-74 of age)
 Middle old - (75-84 of age)
 Old old, very old, or frail old - (75-84 of age)

Subfields of Gerontology
 Geriatrics- is often used as a generic term relating to the aged, but specifically refers to medical
care of the aged.
 Social gerontology- is concerned mainly with the social aspects of aging versus the biological or
psychological.
 Geropsychology - is a branch of psychology concerned with helping older persons and their
families maintain well-being, overcome problems and achieve maximum potential during later
life.
 Geropharmacology- the study of pharmacology as it relates to older adults.
CGP- Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (Pharmacist certified in geropharmacology)
 Financial gerontology- is another emerging subfield that combines knowledge of financial
planning and services with a special expertise in the needs of older adults.
 Gerontological rehabilitation nursing - combines expertise in gerontological nursing with
rehabilitation concepts and practice.
 Gerontological nursing- then, falls within the discipline of nursing and the scope of nursing
practice.

Roles of the Gerontological Nurse

 Provider of care
 Teacher
 Manager
 Advocate
 Research Consumer
Provider of Care
 Gives direct hands-on care in a variety of settings.
 Nurse should be educated about disease process and syndromes commonly seen in the older
population.
 This may include knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms, usual medical treatment,
rehabilitation, and end-of-life care.

Teacher
 An essential part of all nursing is teaching. Teaching focuses on modifiable risk factors and
health promotion.
 Diseases and debilitating conditions of aging can be prevented through lifestyle modifications
such as a healthy diet, smoking cessation, appropriate weight maintenance, increased physical
activity, and stress management.

Manager
 Gerontological nurses act as managers during everyday practice as they balance the concerns of
the patient, family, nursing, and the rest of the interdisciplinary team.
 Nurse managers must be skilled in leadership, time management, building relationships,
communication, and managing change.

Advocate
 Acts on behalf of older adults to promote their best interests and strengthen their autonomy
and decision making.
 Advocacy may take many forms, including active involvement at the political level or helping to
explain medical or nursing procedures to family members on a unit level.

Research Consumer
 The appropriate level of involvement for nurses at the baccalaureate level is that of research
consumer.
 Must remain abreast of current research literature, reading and putting into practice the results
of reliable and valid studies