NURSING AND THE AGING POPULATION

According to the Deloitte report, the percentage of older populations is rising worldwide. The average life
expectancy is projected to rise from 72.3 years in 2014 to 73.3 years in 2022. This slight increase will bring the
total of individuals over the age of 65 worldwide to 604 million. Reasons for this increase in average life expectancy
are enhanced living conditions, proactive prevention of diseases, declining infant mortality rates and easier access
to medication and health care services. Interestingly, the longevity of life does not equate to improved health care
quality. While larger populations of adults live longer, health care policies and practices do not always keep up
with the growth.
Certain health care systems are understaffed, under-resourced and underprepared to meet the complex needs of the
growing population of older adults. While people are living longer, this fact does not always mean that they are
living healthier. Many of these older adults experience significant deterioration of their physical and mental
capacities, necessitating the need for nurses to receive additional education in geriatric care best practices.
The National Council on Aging revealed that 92 percent of older adults suffer from at least one chronic disease,
while 77 percent have two or more. With the aging population and rise in chronic health conditions, the next
generation of nurses and nursing leaders may be needed in long-term care or other geriatric nursing environments.
In addition to an aging population, other factors contribute to the nursing shortage, making caring for older
patients even more difficult for nurses and healthcare professionals. With your nursing staff continuously being
faced with burnout and high-stress environments, it is evident that there is a clear need to assist nursing staff who
are struggling at their facilities. Below are other contributing factors to the nursing shortage and a high aging
population.
Retirement of Experienced Nurses- The retirement of the experienced nurses further widens the gap between the
supply and demand for nursing staff.
Recruitment Challenges-Recruiting and retaining nurses has become increasingly difficult in the face of the aging
population. With a higher demand for healthcare services, more nurses are needed. Factors such as long working
hours, high-stress levels, and limited career advancement opportunities contribute to the recruitment and retention
difficulties that hospitals are facing.
Lack of Retention Strategies-To retain experienced nurses, healthcare organizations should implement strategies
that prioritize their well-being and professional growth. Offering flexible work schedules, competitive salaries, and
opportunities for advancement can improve nurse retention rates. Ongoing education and training programs can
also enhance nurses' skills and knowledge, enabling them to better care for the aging population. Training new
staff to be aware and equipped to care for an older generation will provide better patient care at a healthcare facility.
Effects of an Aging Population
Many healthcare facilities now worry about the stress this aging population will put on healthcare systems
nationwide. Below are the overall effects of the aging population on healthcare facilities.
Growing Healthcare Demands-An aging population requires more healthcare services due to the higher incidence
of chronic conditions and age-related illnesses. This increased demand for medical care strains the already limited
nursing workforce.
Complex Care Needs-Aging individuals often have complex care needs that require specialized knowledge and
skills from healthcare professionals. With a shortage of nurses, healthcare facilities struggle to meet these demands
adequately. Managing chronic conditions, administering medications, and providing personalized care to older
adults require a knowledgeable nursing workforce.
Impact on Quality of Care- The nursing shortage resulting from an aging population directly impacts the quality
of care for older adults. Overworked and understaffed nurses may struggle to meet all the needs of their patients,
leading to potential errors and compromised care. This situation can have serious consequences for the health and
well-being of the aging population, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the nursing shortage. For older patients,
it is even more crucial that healthcare professionals are precise and accurate with their care to avoid unfortunate
consequences.
Shift Toward Geriatric Care-With a growing aging population, there is a pronounced shift toward geriatric care
within nursing. Nurses must possess specialized knowledge and skills in managing older adults' unique physical,
psychological, and social needs. The emphasis on geriatric care requires additional training and resources,
exacerbating the nursing shortage as healthcare systems strive to meet the evolving demands with limited staff.
Rising Healthcare Costs-As the number of older adults increases, healthcare systems face rising costs associated
with providing comprehensive care. This includes expenses related to chronic disease management, long-term care
facilities, and specialized medical interventions. The financial strain can limit resources for retaining nursing
professionals, hindering efforts to improve staffing levels.
Increased Complexity of Care-The aging population often presents with a higher complexity of care needs. Nursing
professionals are critical in ensuring the holistic care of aging individuals, including medication management, care
planning, and promoting overall well-being. The increased complexity of care places additional demands on the
nursing workforce, intensifying the shortage.
Solutions to Assist an Aging Population
Hospitals need to find other ways to retain nursing staff to better care for an aging population at a facility. Hence,
they have adequate healthcare professionals available to care for older patients. A solution is to hire international
nurses. Also, Collaborative efforts can bridge the gap between the demand for nursing care and the available
workforce, ensuring that older adults receive the comprehensive care they need. Fostering collaboration between
healthcare professionals at facilities can help mitigate the impact of an aging population on patient care. Nurses,
physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers can share responsibilities, improve efficiency, and optimize
care delivery by working together. Healthcare executives must educate their staff on chronic conditions and diseases
that older patients may be susceptible to. Your team should be aware of common health problems among the older
generation. With this information, your team can share this knowledge with their patients, making them active
participants in their own health. Knowledge is power, and by obtaining it, patients can act proactively to avoid
life-threatening conditions in the future. Creating community support groups, providing educational material
online, and handing out brochures or flyers with key facts can go a long way toward helping patients take more
control over their health. The aging population has impacted the nursing profession in many ways. There is now
an increase in the demand for healthcare services, a rise in healthcare costs, and an increased gap between available
current and tenured nurses. By acknowledging and responding to these challenges, healthcare executives can work
together to ensure high-quality care for our aging population while addressing the nursing shortage.
References: Roy O. Le vieillissement: mieux comprendere, mieux prendre soin [Aging: better understanding, better
care]. Can Nurse. 1996 Apr;92(4):42-4.

Prepared by: Miss. Vitoli , Nursing tutor, Athena Institute of Nursing. Bengaluru.