Geriatric Nursing:

Trends and Issues

NUR 145
Sandy Mishkin, RN, BC,
MSN, Med
© 2008
Aging: Myths

 Older people are all alike.

 Older people are sick and dependent.
 Older people are depressed.
 Older people have poor memories.
Aging: Facts

 The older generation is very diverse.

 Most older adults live independently.
 If there is some cognitive deficit, this
does not result in problems in daily
living.
 Older adults in the community have
lower rates of depression.
Demographics

 Approximately 12.4% of the U.S.

population is older than 65 years; by
2030, about 20% will be older than 65
years.
 By 2030, 26.4% of Americans older
than 65 years will belong to minority
groups.
Demographics

 Age cohort: a group of people born

within a specified time
 The Baby Boomers are the most
significant cohort in the U.S. at present
(born between 1946 and 1964).
 Baby Boomers comprise one-third of
the U.S. population.
Demographics

 There are more older women than men.

 43% of older women are widows
compared with 14% of men.
 The older population tends to be better
educated than previous generations.
 In 2003, approximately 10.2% of older
Americans lived below the poverty level.
Living Arrangements

 More than two-thirds of older adults live

independently in a family setting.
 1% of people aged 65-74, 4.7% aged
75-84, and 18.2% 85 and older live in
institutions.
Types of Housing for Older
Adults
 Independent centers
 Assisted living centers
 Group housing
– Two or more unrelated people share a
house
 Skilled nursing facility
Financing Health Care for Older
Adults
 Almost 33 1/3% of health care costs are
attributed to individuals older than 65
who comprise only 12% of the
population.
 Medicare provides health care funding
for older adults and individuals with
disabilities.
– The most recent addition to its benefits is
Part D which covers medication.
Impact of the Older Adult on
Families
 80% of older Americans will receive
help from their families.
 The “sandwich generation” is trying to
care for their children and elderly
parents.
– 73% of caregivers are women.
The Importance of Advance
Directives
 Advance directives provide a guide for
decisions about type and amount of
health care for someone who can no
longer make those critical decisions.
 Two types: Durable medical power of
attorney and living will
Elder Abuse and Neglect

 Self-neglect is “the failure to provide for

the self because of a lack of ability or
lack of awareness” (Wold, p.17).
 Self-neglect often occurs with
individuals suffering from dementia or
mental illness.
Elder Abuse and Neglect

 Types of abuse:
– Physical
– Emotional
– Financial
Elder Abuse and Neglect:
Solutions
 Respite programs for the elderly person
or the caregiver
 Education for the caregiver
 Adult day care
 Support groups for the caregiver
 Additional community support services
Elder Abuse in Institutions

 Abuse of older residents is related to

care providers’ sense that they are not
valued, supported, or acknowledged.
 Abuse by care providers can take many
forms.
 An abusing caregiver needs to be
reported immediately.