Ch5
Uploaded by
Mohamed Amin Ahmed HussienCh5
Uploaded by
Mohamed Amin Ahmed HussienNursing care of older
people
Prepared by: Mohamed Amin Ahmed
Date: 02 April 2025
Learning objectives
• To understand the concept of geriatric nursing.
• To understand the important aspects of geriatric care.
• To describe the role of geriatric nurses.
Introduction
• Geriatric nursing is the specialty that is concerned with the providing of
nursing services to geriatric or older people.
• It is defined as specialized nursing care of older people in any setting in
which nurses use their knowledge, expertise and caring abilities to
promote best functioning of older people.
• Nurses are crucial to ensure integrated person-centred health care for older
people as direct care providers and care coordinators.
Responsibilities of geriatric
nurses
• To provide comprehensive and full care to older people.
• To promote and maintain the functional status of older people.
• To provide emotional and psychological support to older people and
caregivers.
• To provide palliative care and home-based care to older people.
• To maintain the dignity and functional autonomy of older people.
• To develop skill in identifying specific age-related problems and refer for
further evaluation, when needed.
• To identify the needs and problems of older people and their caregivers.
Role of a geriatric nurse
Teacher and care provider
• A specialist who helps older patients recover from illness or injury by
providing practical and patient centric care plans.
Evidence-based care
• Actively participates in updating and maintaining knowledge through
continuous professional development, ongoing educational
programmes and research activities to provide evidence based care.
Counsellor
Provides guidance and counselling services to older people, family
members and other caregivers in the areas of need.
Advocate
• Advocates for and with older people and/or families to maintain their
quality of life and, at the end of their lives, to experience a peaceful
and dignified death.
Manager
Supervises care delivered by other staff and the overall management of
the hospital/home environment
Characteristics of a geriatric
nurse
• Patient (as older patients can get quickly irritated due to their
complex health problems and psychosocial issues).
• Compassionate.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Creative.
• Reliable.
Skills of a geriatric nurse
Patient-Centered Care: Integrate professional morals about aging to
provide compassionate care for older adults and their families.
Professional Accountability: Practice within a framework of
accountability and responsibility.
Barriers Assessment: Identify barriers that hinder older adults from
accessing and understanding health information.
Effective Communication: Engage respectfully and kindly with older
patients and their families.
Assessment Tools: Utilize legal and reliable assessment tools to
inform nursing practices.
Complete Assessment: Conduct comprehensive evaluations of older
adults’ needs based on nursing theory and evidence.
Cont..
Living Environment Analysis: Assess how the living environment affects the physical,
cognitive, and social needs of older adults.
Goal-Oriented Interventions: Help older adults and their support networks achieve
personal goals through resource analysis.
Mistreatment Identification: Recognize and address potential mistreatment (abuse or
neglect) in older patients.
Geriatric Syndromes Management: Implement strategies to prevent and manage
common geriatric conditions.
Ethical Decision-Making: Facilitate non-forced decision-making regarding treatment
and end-of-life care.
Cont..
Outcome Evaluation: Assess progress toward goals and adjust care plans based on
evaluation data.
Palliative Care Advocacy: Promote timely access to palliative and hospital care for older
adults.
Risk Prevention: Monitor and implement strategies to enhance safety and quality in care
(e.g., fall prevention).
Wellness Promotion: Utilize resources to support the functional, physical, and mental
wellness of older adults.
Ethical and Legal Principles: Apply ethical principles such as autonomy and justice in
patient care.
Technology Utilization: Use technology to improve the independence and safety of older
adults.
Care Transitions: Facilitate safe transitions between different levels of care, ensuring
continuity and quality.
