CARE OF THE ELDERLY

NCM-114
 COURSE TITLE: CARE OF THE TERMINALLY ILL AND
OLDER ADULT
COURSE CODE/#: NCM -114
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
BACHELOR SCIENCE IN
NURSING – III
This course deals with concepts, principles, theories and
techniques in the care of older adults. The learners are expected
OBE COURSE OUTLINE
to perform holistic nursing care of the older persons in wellness
SY 2021-2022 and chronic illness utilizing the nursing process.
    COURSE CREDIT: 3 UNITS LECTURE
PLACEMENT: THIRD YEAR, 2nd HALF, 1st SEMESTER
PRE-REQUISITES: NCM -
CONTACT HOURS/SEM: 48 HOURS /
2 HRS/ DAY , OR 4HRS A WEEK
 LEVEL OUTCOMES:
BACHELOR SCIENCE IN At the end of the 3rd year, given individuals, families,
population groups, and communities with physiologic and
NURSING – III
psychosocial health problems and maladaptive patterns of
OBE COURSE OUTLINE behavior in varied health care settings, the learners demonstrate
SY 2021-2022 safe, appropriate and holistic care utilizing the nursing process
    and applying research and evidence-based practice.
 COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Care of the Older Adults
PRELIMS
A. Understanding the Geriatric Population
 Demographics of aging
BACHELOR SCIENCE IN  Societal attitudes and beliefs of aging
NURSING – III  Theories of aging
 Physiologic changes of aging
OBE COURSE OUTLINE
 Age-related adjustments and transitions
SY 2021-2022  Changing attitudes towards aging
    B. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
 Adapting your assessment
 Performing the health assessment
 Obtaining health history
 Performing the physical examination
 C. Maintaining Physical Health that includes nursing
interventions for specific problems of the older adult.
 Meeting mobility and exercise needs
 Meeting nutritional needs
 Meeting rest and sleep needs
BACHELOR SCIENCE IN
 Encouraging proper elimination
NURSING – III
 Dealing with sexuality
OBE COURSE OUTLINE  Preventive medical care
SY 2021-2022 D. Meeting Mental and Emotional Needs that includes
    nursing interventions for specific problems of the older
adult.
 Stressful life events
 Common psychiatric problems
 Treating mental illness
 MIDTERMS
E. Managing Ear and Eye Problems
 Cerumen Impaction
 Otosclerosis
 Presbycusis
 Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration
BACHELOR SCIENCE IN  Retinal detachment
NURSING – III F. Specific Assessment Focus and Management of the
OBE COURSE OUTLINE
selective condition affecting the older adults.
 Managing Cardiovascular problems
SY 2021-2022
 Managing Respiratory problems
   
 Managing Neurologic problems
 Managing Musculoskeletal problems
G. Reducing the risk of falls
 Falls: Incidence and Impact
 Preventing falls
 Risk identification and assessment scale
 Medications associated with falls
 Coping with falls
 Learning Strategies
1. MODULAR -HARD COPY WITH (TEXTBOOK(AS RECOMMENDED)
2. ON-LINE - (POWERPOINT/ VIDEO
3. CONSULTATION

BACHELOR SCIENCE IN Assessment

NURSING – III
PAPER & BALLPEN TEST
OBE COURSE OUTLINE 1. QUIZZES (short & Long)
2. ACTIVITY
SY 2021-2022 3. SUMMATIVE EXAMINATIONS (MIDTERM / FINAL)

   
Grading System

Criteria
1. Attendance ---------------------- 10%
2. Activity ----------------------------- 20%
3. Quizzes -------------------------------- 30%
4. Summative Exams. (MT & F)-------- 40%
100% (50% per exam)
 2 Major Examinations

1. December 7-11, 2021 ( Prelim to Midterm)

2. January 18-22,2022 (Semi-Final to Final)

Notes:
3. Pay your accounts prior to the examination.
(surprises will come)
2. Have an active class participation (a bonus
CARE OF THE OLDER ADULTS
points will be given)
3. Don’t be absent during quizzes (no special
quiz will be given)
4. Submit on time any home activity.
5. BE HONEST ALWAYS: (EXAM/ QUIZ)
Overview: Understanding the Geriatric Population
Lesson-1

Let’s begin the day…..

Let us pray: Make the sign of the cross…

Our Father…
 Years ago, a lot of people had a vague understanding of what these approaches meant to the care
of older adults. It was generally acknowledged at the time that most nursing education programs
lagged woefully behind gerontology-geriatric practice demands. Unfortunately, however, the mass
of specialists needed for widespread curriculum reform wasn’t there, and the concurrent
development of substantive knowledge on which to build specialty practice was slow to develop
and mature.
Time have certainly changed. Gerontological-geriatric nursing in the 21 st century promises to be
an important exciting, and challenging specialty. Nurses who are well equipped to deal with the
complex health states and comorbid conditions of their older patients will be increasingly valued
members of the health team. Thus, specialization will be needed in acute care, long-term care,
subacute care, home care, adult day care, and inpatient and outpatient settings. Furthermore, the
nurse who understand the principles of health promotion and disease prevention as they apply to
Lesson-1 older adults are finding new opportunities in community health and health maintenance
organization.
Understanding Geriatric
Population Therefore, this module is made specifically for you, to help you understand and equipped with
knowledge on how to care older adults in variety of care settings. Among the extraordinarily
useful assortment of teaching aids, assessment tools, and guidelines, you’ll find a
 
 …standardized assessment tool to evaluate movement disorders in older adults,
set of simple isometric exercises that you could offer to an older patient with Continue reading
…
osteoarthritis, guidelines for the management of an older adult’s chronic pain,
& guidelines to identify and assess possible elder abuse situations in the home,
clinic, hospital, or adult day care center.
 
There’s also an extensive chart on pharmacodynamic changes and aging and a
timely chapter on end -to-life issues that explores the importance of
understanding how to provide care for older patients and their families during
this final life transition.
Looking for a reference book on caring for the adult patient kindly refer to the
last page of this module. Besides I’m happy to say that this module is
Lesson-1 specifically for gerontologic-geriatric nursing care. Whether you’re new, have
Understanding Geriatric knowledge / had experienced the reference book and this module will improve
Population your skills, increase your confidence, and alter the way you think about
providing nursing care to your older patients.
 
 Check your knowledge:

Dire c tio n s: Re a d th e fo llo w in g sta te m e n ts b e lo w .

kin d ly a n sw e r th e fo llo win g o n th e sp a c e p ro vid e d .

Write TRUE if th e sta te m e n t is c o rre c t a n d
Write FALSE is th e sta te m e n t is w ro n g .

______1. Th e o ve r-65 a g e g ro u p u se s th e In te rn e t a lo t.
______2. Th e n e e d fo r m e a n in g ful re la tio n sh ip s d im in ish e s w ith a g e .
______3. Old e r p e o p le c o ntrib ute little to so c ie ty.
______4. O ld e r p e o p le te n d to h a ve h ig h le ve ls o f m e n ta l re silie n c e .
Lesson-1 ______5.
______6.
Me nta l a nd p hysic a l d e te rio ra tio n a re ine vita b le in o ld a g e .
Old e r p e o p le c a n m a ke g o o d d e c isio ns a b o ut im p o rta nt issue s.
Understanding Geriatric ______7. As p e o p le a g e , th e ir a b ility to le a rn o fte n sto p s.
______8. Th e re is a la c k o f p ro d u c tivity w ith o ld e r p e o p le .
Population ______9. Th e b a sic h um a n n e e d s o f o ld e r p e o p le a re d iffe re n t fro m th o se o f
yo u n g e r p e o p le .
_____10. All o ld p e o p le a re th e sa m e .

keep it up!
 Go further……

Time to Explore

Activity 1:
At your home/place…
Try to see or look at your grandma/ pa, auntie, uncle, or your ma & pa or
elder brother / sister (any available or present- age 60 above)
Lesson-1
For 5minutes… what have you notice? Or did you notice something
Understanding Geriatric
from head to toe.? What is it?
Population
 
Can you write it down at your work notebook? At least 10 things
 Essential Questions? (Do not write)

What do you think of this?

•Any idea of Elderly/ or “Old Age what
is it?
Lesson-1 •Aging? What it is?
Understanding Geriatric
Population •How do you look at it?
 FIRMING- UP /
DEEPENING
Let’s DISCUSS
things:
Studies shows that people age 65 and older require health
care services more frequently than any other age-group;
they account for over 1/3 of all hospital stays over 1/3 of
the country’s total personal health care expenditures.
Lesson-1 because So much of the health care population is elderly,
Understanding Geriatric it’s important that you understand how to fulfill these
Population
patient’s specific health care needs.
 
 
 Consider the
followings:

1. Physiologic and biological changes that normally occur during aging.

2. Understand older adult’s special health requirements.
3. Help them learn to access community services, avoid falls, and deal
with age-related problems such as reduced visual acuity.
4. Understand the effects of prescription and over- the- counter drugs on
older patients in long- term care.
5. Equally importantly, you need to examine your personal feelings about
elderly people to make sure that common misconceptions about aging
Lesson-1 aren’t affecting the quality of your care you provide.
Understanding Geriatric 6. You must consider end-of-life issues.
Population  
 IMPORTANTFACTORS in unde rsta nding
Ge ria tric Po pula tio n

1. So c ie ta l a ttitude s a nd be lie fs
 As a g ro up , o ld e r a d ults in o ur so c ie ty a re
ste re o typ e d .
 Ag in g - is a na tura l p ro c e ss, b ut the c ha ng e s
a sso c ia te d with it a re ra re ly vie we d a s na tura l
o r p o sitive .
 He a lth c a re p ro fe ssio na l c o m m o nly d e sc rib e d
it a s a “LO SSES” suc h a s (lo ss o f tissue e la stic ity
Lesson-1 o r a d e c re a se in b lo o d flo w.)
Understanding Geriatric  G e ne ra l, o ur so c ie ty re g a rd s a g ing a s:
 a se rie s o f in e vita b le , ne g a tive e ve n ts th a t a p e rso n
Population
m ust to le ra te .
 He a lth c a re p ro fe ssio n a l o fte n m e ntio n e d a g e -
re la te d c h a n g e s a n d d ise a se c o n d itio n s in th e
sa m e b re a th .
 So m e m yth s, m isc o n c e p tio n s, & n e g a tive ste re o typ e s a b o ut o ld e r
p e o p le ste m fro m o ur c ulture ’s va lue s a n d b e lie fs.
 Ma n y p e o p le p e rc e ive d o ld e r a d ults a s se n ile , sic k, a n d in c a p a b le
o f m a kin g w o rth wh ile c o ntrib utio n s to so c ie ty.
 2. Fear of Aging
 Most people don’t know enough about the realities of aging; they fear death and,
therefore, fear of growing older.
 GERONTOPHOBIA -refers to this fear & the refusal to accept older people into the
mainstream of society.
 
2 extreme forms of Gerontophobia
1. Ageism- the negative stereotyping of aging and older
persons, I a belief that aging makes people
unattractive, unintelligent, and unproductive, it’s
an emotional prejudice.
2. Age Discrimination – it goes beyond emotion; it’s the
practice of treating people differently simply because
Lesson-1
of their age. (eg. Hiring, limited amount of health care
Understanding Geriatric provided.)
Population  
 What is aging?
 The word “aging and old age are highly subjective.
 It is defined as having lived for a long time and is commonly synonymous with
negative terms, such as “ancient”, “antiquated”, and “timeworn”.
 Its process is complex: it can be described
Chronologically
Physiologically
and Functionally.
 
 
  CHRONOLOGICAL AGE
Lesson-1 -refers to the number of years a person has lived.
Understanding Geriatric - age 65 became the maximum age of eligibility for retirement benefits
Population -65 is the accepted age for status as a senior citizen
 
- THERE 3 CHRONOLOGICAL CATEGORIES
Young- old (age 65 to 74)
Middle-old (age 75 to 84)
Old-old (ages 85 and older)
 
 
 PHYSIOLOGIC AGE
-refers to the determination of age by body function.
 

FUNCTIONAL AGE
-refers to a person’s ability to contribute to society and benefit others and himself.
- those who require help are called – FRAIL ELDERLY
 
(note: not all individuals of the same chronological age function at the same level.)
-age 75 is the fastest growing segment of the older population.
-age 75to 84 – about 25% need help with ADL
-age 85 and older – nearly ½ need help with ADL.
 
Lesson-1 @ CHARACTERISTIC COMMON TO THE FRAIL ELDERLY
Understanding Geriatric Poor mental and physical health
Low socioeconomic status
Population
Female gender (predominantly)
Isolated living conditions (possibly)
More & longer hospital stays with more money spent on health care & drugs
More frequent visit to the doctors
More use of nursing home beds than hospital beds.
 
 THEORIES OF AGING

THEORY SOURCES RETARDANTS

A. BIOLOGICAL THEORIES    
     
1.CROSS-LINK THEORY    
Strong chemical bonding    
between organic molecules in Lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, Restricting calories and
the body causes increase and nucleic acid. lathyrogens (anti-link agents)
stiffness, chemical instability,
and insolubility of connective
tissues deoxyribonucleic acid.
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population 2. FREE RADICAL-THEORY   Improving environmental
Increased unstable free Environmental pollutants, monitoring; decreasing of free-
radical produced harmful to oxidation of dietary fat, radical stimulating foods;
biological system, such as protein, carbohydrates. increase intake of vitamin of A & C
chromosomal changes, Mecarplans and vitamin E
payment to accumulation.
 3. IMMUNOLOGIC THEORY    
An aging immune system Alteration of B and T cells of  
is less able to distinguish the humoral ad cellular Considering and immuno-
body cells from foreign cells; system. engineering-selective
as a result, it begins to attack alteration replenishment or
and destroy body cells as if rejuvenation of the immune
they were foreign. This may system.
explain the adult onset of
such conditions as diabetes
mellitus, rheumatic heart
disease, and arthritis.
Theorists have speculated
about several erratic cellular
mechanisms capable of
precipitating attack on
various tissues through auto
aggression or
Lesson-1 immunodeficiencies
Understanding Geriatric
Population
 4.WEAR AND TEAR THEORY Repeat injury or overuse; Reevaluating and possibly
Body cells, structures, and internal and external stressors adjusting lifestyle.
functions wear out or are (Physical, Psychological,
overused through exposure to social, and environmental,
internal and external including trauma, chemicals,
stressors. Effects from and buildup of naturally
residual damage accumulate, occurring wastes.
the body can longer resist
stress and death occurs.
A. PSYCHOSOCIAL    
THEORIES    
  Quality and meaningfulness  
1.ACTIVITY THEORY over quantity of activities; life Increasing activities in other areas
Successful aging and life satisfaction related to when activities in one area
satisfaction depend on involvement in life. decrease.
maintaining a high level of
activity.
Lesson-1  

Understanding Geriatric
2. CONTINUITY THEORY    
Population An individual remains Assumed stability of individual Taking into account the impact
essentially the same, despite patterns or orientation over major societal changes, which can
life changes. This theory time. alter individual expectations and
focuses more on personality behavior.
and individual behavior over
time.
 3. DISENGAGEMENT    
THEORY Decrease participation Taking into account
Progressive social in society resulting diversity of individual
disengagement occurs from age-related outlook and lifestyle and
with age. changes in health, social structure
energy, income, and variables, such as
social roles. economy and social
organizations.

4. SOCIAL EXCHANGE Diminished resources  

THEORY and increase Assuming new roles and
Social behavior dependency leading to friendship with other
Lesson-1 involves doing what’s unequal contribution to older adults to help
Understanding Geriatric valued and rewarded by society and reduced socialize the person and
society. power and value; help the person adjust to
Population decreased number of age-related norms.
roles available in
society.
 Notes:
Aging is a normal part of human developmental. Various
theories have been proposed;
1. to explain the process of normal aging and help dispel
some of the myths.
2. Provide guidelines to determine how well a patient is
adjusting to aging.
3. Identify areas that need to be assessed and provide a
Lesson-1 basis for interventions and rationales in nursing care.
Understanding Geriatric
Population 4. (no single theory of aging is universally accepted.)
 BIOLOGICAL THEORIES
Attempt to explain physical aging as an involuntary process,
which eventually leads to cumulative changes in cells, tissues, and
fluids. Intrinsic biological theory maintains that aging changes
arise from internal, predetermined causes. Extrinsic biological
theory maintains that environmental factors leads to structural
alterations which, in turn, cause degenerative changes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES
Attempts to explain age-related changes in cognitive function,
Lesson-1 such as intelligence, memory, learning, and problem solving.
Understanding Geriatric
Population
 SOCIOLOGIC THEORIES
Attempts to explain changes that affects socialization and
life satisfaction. It maintains that a social expectation change,
people assume new roles, which leads to changes in identity.
DEVELOPEMENTAL THEORIES
Describe specific life stages and tasks associated with each
stage.
 
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population
 Please answer the following:

After listening the first few discussions try to remember few ideas or anything
you learned about aging from your neighbor or from any books you’ve read.
Give at least 5 common myths on aging. Check your knowledge if it is true, if
YES explain why? And if it is NO why?
COMMON MYTHS ON AGING YES! Why? NO! why?

1    

2    

3    

  Power Booster 4    

Lesson-1 5    
Understanding Geriatric
Population
  
Let’s proceed….. now Go further and deeper…..
 
 
Physiologic Changes of Aging
1. Aging is characterized by the loss of some body cells and related metabolism in other
cells. This process results in a decline in bodily function and changes in body
composition.
2. It’s important for you to recognize the gradual changes in body function that normally
accompany aging so that you can adjust your assessment techniques accordingly.
Lesson-1
3. It’s equally important for you to recognize that even laboratory test values will change
Understanding Geriatric to reflect the aging process.
Population
4. Values considered abnormal in younger adults may be normal in older adults.
Understanding the normal aging process can help you understand why a person’s risk of
developing certain disease and sustaining injuries increase over time.
 
 
 1. NUTRITION
A person’s protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements usually remain the same as he ages, but
caloric need decrease. Diminished activity may lower energy requirements by about;
MEN & WOMEN - 200 Calories /day ages 51 to 75
Men - 500 Calories/day age over 75
Women - 400 calories/day age over 75
Other physiologic changes that can affect nutrition in an older patient.
Decrease renal function an, causing greater susceptibility to dehydration and formation of renal
calculi
Loss of calcium and nitrogen (patient isn’t ambulatory)
Diminished enzyme activity and gastric secretions
Reduced pepsin and hydrochloric acid secretions, which tends to diminish the absorption of
Lesson-1 calcium and vitamins B1 and B2.
Understanding Geriatric Decrease salivary flow and diminish sense of taste which may reduce the person’s appetite and
Population increase his consumption of sweet, salty, and spicy foods.
Diminished intestinal motility and peristalsis of the large intestine
Thinning of tooth enamel, causing teeth to become more brittle
Decrease biting force
Diminish gag reflex.
 
 
 Some common condition found in older Socioeconomic & psychological
people can affect nutritional status: factors that affect nutritional status:
1. Limiting patient’s mobility Loneliness
2. Diminished intestinal motility -may Decline of role & importance in the
cause GI disorders like constipation family
& fecal incontinence Lack of money
3. Suffer constipation – cause by Transportation to buy nutritious foods.
nutritionally inadequate diet of soft,
refined foods low in dietary fiber,  
Lesson-1 physical inactivity, emotional stress
Understanding Geriatric or certain medications.
Population 4. Laxative abuse -cause rapid transport
of food through GI tract, decreasing
digestion and absorption.
 
 ILLNESS AND INJURY: WHY THE RISK INCREASE WITH AGE
Decreased cerebral blood flow increases the risk of stroke.
An older person’s spinal cord is tightly encased in vertebrae that may studded with bony spurs
or shrunken around the cord. Even minor fall can cause sever cord damage.
In older women, osteoporosis cause compression fractures even without a history of trauma
Brittle bones make an older person especially prone to fractures. Falling on an outstretched arm
or hand or experiencing a direct blow to the arm or shoulder and is likely to fracture the
shoulder or humerus.
Diminished heart rate and stroke volume place an older person at risk for developing heart
failure, hypertensive crisis, arterial occlusion, and myocardial infarction.
Weakened chest musculature re person’s reduces an older ability to clear lung secretions and
Lesson-1 increase high risk of developing pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other respiratory diseases.
Understanding Geriatric In older men, prostatic hypertrophy is a common cause of urinary tract obstruction and acute
Population urine retention.
A weakened immune system increases an older debilitated person’s risk of Acquiring almost any
infection to which he’s exposed.
 ACTIVITY # 2
There are other factors that affects physiologic changes of aging asides from that
mentioned above like the skin, hair, nails, eyes & vision, ears & hearing, and the
different systems involved. Now please write it down on your journal notebook what
are those signs/symptoms that affects the changes.
A.

Physiologic Changes Signs & Symptoms

Lesson-1 1. Skin  
Understanding Geriatric Physiologic Changes Signs & Symptoms
Population
2. Hair  
Power Booster 3. Nails  
  4. Eyes & Vision  
5. Ears & Hearing  
 DIFFERENT SYSTEMS  Signs & Symptoms
INVOLVED

1. Respiratory S.  

2. Cardiovascular S.  

3. GI S.  
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population 4. Renal S.  

5. Male Reproductive S.  
 6. Female Reproductive S.     Signs & Symptoms

 
a. Ovaries
 
b. Vulva
 
c. Vagina
 
d. Uterus
 
e. Breast
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric  
Population f. Pelvic Support Structure
 1. Neurologic S.   Signs & Symptoms

1. Musculoskeletal S.

1. Immune System  

1. Endocrine S.  
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population
 Ag e - re la te d a n a to m ic c h a n g e s in the up p e r a irw a ys in c lud e s:
o No se e nla rg e m e n t fro m c o n tin ue d c a rtila g e g ro w th
o G e n e ra l a tro p h y o f th e to n sils
o Tra c he a l d e via tio n s fro m c h a n g e s in th e a g in g sp in e
o Th o ra c ic c h a n g e s – inc re a se d a n te ro p o ste rio r c he st d ia m e te r, a s a re sult o f
a lte re d c a lc ium m e ta b o lism , a nd c a lc ific a tio n o f c o sta l c a rtila g e s, w h ic h
re d uc e s m o b ility o f th e c h e st w a ll.
o KYPHOSIS a d va n c e s w ith a g e b e c a use o f suc h fa c to rs a s o ste o p o ro sis a n d
ve rte b ra l c o lla p se .
Lesson-1

Understanding Geriatric
 Dim in ish e s ve n tila to ry c a p a c ity fo r th e fo llo w in g re a so n s:
Population
1. Lun g s’ d iffusin g c a p a c ity d e c lin e s
 De c re a se s in sp ira to ry a nd e xp ira to ry m usc le stre n g th
d im in ishe s vita l c a p a c ity
2. Lun g tissue d e g e n e ra tio n c a use s a d e c re a se in th e lun g ’s vo lum e ,
th us a g in g a lo ne c a n c a use EMPHYSEMA.
 o C lo sing o f so m e a irw a ys c a using p o o r ve ntila tio n o f the b a sa l a re a s, re sulting in
b o th a d e c re a se d surfa c e a re a fo r g a s e xc ha ng e a nd re d uc e d p a rtia l p re ssure
o f o xyg e n (PO 2)
o No rm a l p a rtia l p re ssure o f a c a p a c ity, a rte ria l o xyg e n (Pa O 2) d e c re a se to 70 to
85 m m Hg .
o O xyg e n sa tura tio n d e c re a se b y 5%. Lung b e c o m e s m o re rig id , a nd the num b e r
a nd size f a lve o li d e c line w ith a g e .
Lesson-1 o A 30% re d uc tio n in re sp ira to ry fluid s he ig hte ns the risk o f p ulm o na ry infe c tio n a nd
Understanding Geriatric m uc us p lug s.
Population o Ma xim um b re a thing c a p a c ity, fo rc e d vita l c a p a c ity, vita l c a p a c ity, a nd
insp ira to ry re se rve vo lum e d im inishe d with a g e , le a ving the p a tie nt with lo we re d
to le ra nc e fo r o xyg e n d e b t.
   Age- related adjustment & transitions

The aging process is accompanied by role changes and transitions:

Factors;
Family role
Age, sex, beliefs, attitudes, income, health, and past experience
Culture (illness, dependence/interdependence, roles changes, losses an death in a context
that’s unique to their culture)
ROLE CHANGES - depends on the situation where in and varies.
Lesson-1 RETIREMENT
Understanding Geriatric
MULTIPLE LOSSES
Population
LONELINESS
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
 
 
  Clinical Alert! :
 Suicidal rate in older adult men is seven times that of women, an is
rarely an impulsive act, most suicide attempts aren’t gestures or
threats
 Risk factors include;
 Alcoholism
 Bereavement
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric  Loss of health, loss of role
Population
 Living alone
 And children who have married and moved away.
 Cha ng ing Attitude s towa rds Ag ing
Som e so c ie tie s d e va lue a d ults, vie wing the m a s o b sole te a nd
e xp e nd a b le , m a king a d ults fe e l wo rthle ss. But o the rs
Lesson-1
(p la c e / c ulture / b e lie f), the y re ve re the ir a g e , p re sum ing a nd
Understanding Geriatric
Population e ste e m ing the ir a d va nc e d kno wle d g e , wisd o m a nd skills. O ur
o wn so c ie ty is slo wly a d justing its a ttitud e s a b o ut a g ing a s the
num b e r o f old e r a d ults inc re a se s a nd a ne w role fo r the m
e m e rg e . Am o ng he a lth c a re p ro fe ssio na ls, a ttitud e s a b o ut
 aging are changing as well. People beginning to view aging as
normal part of the developmental process, a lifelong continuum
that begins at conception and culminates with death.
Therefore, as health care professional, you are in a prime
position to help make this final phase rewarding and meaningful
for the older adults in your care.

Lesson-1 What do you think?

Understanding Geriatric
Population Refer to your reference textbook, internet/ website, and try to read the
followings:
Let us pray: 1. Read in advance the next lesson: Tailoring your assessment or
Assessment of the older adult- as how to perform the health assessment.
Make the sign of the cross…
Glory be to the Father…,
Lesson-1
Understanding Geriatric
Population