INTRODUCTION TO

CARE OF OLDER
ADULTS
ALICE JOY M. AQUINO
Lesson 1. Introduction to Care of the Older
Adults
Learning Objectives
∙ Define basic terminologies related to care of ∙ Relate the ANA standards for gerontological

older adults nursing to quality of care for older adults.

∙ Express own perception about the aging
process and care of older adults
∙ Identify the subfields and classification of
aging
Describe core competencies in geriatric
nursing.
∙ Compare various settings in which nurses care
for older adults
∙ Describe the roles of the gerontological nurse.

∙ Explain the concepts of aging ∙ Discuss the scope of practice in

gerontological nursing.
Introduction
► As a nursing student, you may have
preconceived ideas about caring for older
adults. Such ideas are influenced by your
observations of family members, friends,
neighbors, the media, and your own
experience and relationship with your
grandparents or the aging of your own parents
► You are encouraged to examine your own
thoughts, values, feelings, and attitudes
about aging and the elderly. The elderly
have unique life situations and deal with
physical changes as they age, it is
essential that nurses be prepared to
provide quality care to this group of
individuals.
Subfields of gerontology
► includes geriatrics, social gerontology,
geropsychology, geropharmaceutics, financial
gerontology, gerontological nursing, and
gerontological rehabilitation nursing
Definition of terms
► GERONTOLOGY: a study of aging
and/or the aged. This includes the
biopsychosocial aspects of aging.
► GERIATRICS: the branch of medicine
dealing with illness and care of the aged
► GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING: A
specialty within the Nursing practice
where the clients/patients/residents are
older persons.
Definition of terms
► MIDDLE OLD: persons whose age range from
75–84 years.
► OLD-OLD: a person whose age is 85 years and
over; sometimes called the oldest old, the very
old, or the frail elderly.
► YOUNG OLD: persons whose age is 60–74.
► SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY is concerned mainly
with the social aspects of aging versus the
biological or psychological.
► GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING. It involves
nurses advocating for the health of older persons
at all levels of prevention and rehabilitation
► GEROPSYCHOLOGY: refers to
specialists in psychiatry whose
knowledge, expertise, and practice are
with the older population.
► GEROPHARMACEUTICS: also called
geropharmacology, is a unique branch in
which pharmacists obtain special training
in geriatrics.
► FINANCIAL GERONTOLOGY: is
another emerging subfield that combines
knowledge of financial planning and
services with a special expertise in the
needs of older adults.
CLASSIFICATION OF AGING

Objectively, Subjectively
► aging is a universal process that begins at ► ,aging is marked by changes in behavior
birth and is specified by the chronological age and self-perception and reaction to
criterion biological changes. Functionally, aging
refers to the capabilities of the individual
a. Young Old (60 – 74 years),
to function in society.
b. Middle old (75-84 years),
c. Old-old (above 85 years).
CONCEPTS OF AGING
A. Chronologic Aging
B. Biologic aging
► The actual amount of time a person has
been alive. In other words, the number of
days, months, or years a person has been alive
► Biologic/Senescence/Physiologic Aging
► − The physical changes that “slow us
down” as humans get into the middle and
older years. The gradual deterioration of
function characteristics. For example: arteries
might clog up, or problems with the lungs
might make it more difficult for us to breathe.
This aging is also known as physiologic aging.
C. Psychologic Aging
D. Social Aging
► − The psychological changes,
involving mental functioning and
personality that occur as human age.
Psychological ageing may be seen as a
continuous struggle for identity, i.e. for a
sense of coherence or capacity to respond
to stressful situations.
− Changes
in a person’s role and relationships,
within the networks of relatives and
friends and in formal organizations such
as the workplace and houses of worship.
E. Cognitive Aging
► −Age-related impairments in reasoning,
memory, and processing speed can arise
during adulthood and progress into the elder
years. Cognitive aging is concerned with the
basic processes of learning and memory as
well as with the complex higher-order
processes of language and intellectual
competence or executive functioning.
Roles of the
Gerontological Nurse
► Provider of Care
the gerontological nurse gives direct, hands-
on care to older adults in a variety of settings.
the nurse should be educated about the
common disease processes seen in the older
population.
This includes knowledge of risk factors
signs and symptoms, usual medical
treatment, nursing care through evidence-
based practice,and rehabilitation if applicable
Roles of gerontological nurse
Teacher
► Gerontological nurses focus their teaching on
modifiable risk factors. Many diseases 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 care as they balance the
concerns of the patient, family, nursing,
and the rest of the interdisciplinary team.
Nurse managers need to develop skills in
staff coordination, time management,
assertiveness, communication, and
organization.
Advocate Research Consumer
► being an advocate does not mean making ► aware of current research literature,
decisions for older adults, but empowering continuing to read and put into practice
them, helping them remain independent and the results of reliable and valid studies.
retain dignity, even in difficult situations.
► Using evidence-based practice,
► nurse acts on behalf of older adults to promote gerontological nurses can improve the
their best interests and strengthen their quality of patient care in all settings.
autonomy and decision making.
► active involvement at the political level or
helping to explain medical or nursing
procedures to family members on a unit level.
Competencies Necessary for Nurses to Provide HighQuality
Care to Older Adults and Their Families
► Recognize one’s own and others’ attitudes,
values, and expectations about aging and their
impact on care of older adults and their
families.
► Adopt the concept of individualized care as
the standard of practice with older adults.
► Communicate effectively, respectfully, and
compassionately with older adults and their
families.
► Recognize that sensation and perception in
older adults are mediated by functional,
physical, cognitive, psychological, and social
changes common in old age.
► Analyze the effectiveness of community
resources in assisting older adults and
their families to retain personal goals,
maximize function, maintain
independence, and live in the least
restrictive environment.
► Assess family knowledge of skills
necessary to deliver care to older adults.
► Adapt technical skills to meet the
functional, physical, cognitive,
psychological, social, and endurance
capacities of older adults.
► Incorporate into daily practice valid and ► Establish and follow standards of care to
reliable tools to assess the functional, physical, recognize and report elder mistreatment.
cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual
► Apply evidence-based standards to
status of older adults.
screen, immunize, and promote healthy
► Assess older adults’ living environment with activities in older adults.
special awareness of the functional, physical,
► Recognize and manage geriatric
cognitive, psychological, and social changes
syndromes common to older adults.
common in old age.
► Recognize the complex interaction of
acute and chronic co-morbid conditions
common to older adults
► Individualize care and prevent morbidity
and mortality associated with the use of
physical and chemical restraints in older
adults.
► Prevent or reduce common risk factors
that contribute to functional decline,
impaired quality of life, and excess
disability in older adults.
► Use technology to enhance older adults’
function, independence, and safety. 17.
Facilitate communication as older adults
transition across and between home,
hospital, and nursing home, with a
particular focus on the use of technology.
18. Assist older adults, families, and
caregivers to understand and balance
“everyday” autonomy and safety
decisions. 19. Apply ethical and legal
principles to the complex issues that arise
in care of older adults.
► Appreciate the influence of attitudes, roles,
language, culture, race, religion, gender, and
lifestyle on how families and assistive personnel
provide long-term care to older adults
► Evaluate differing international models of
geriatric care.
► Analyze the impact of an aging society on the
health care system.
► Evaluate the influence of payer systems on
access, availability, and affordability of health
care for older adults