Course Description
The majority of CNAs and licensed nurses in California specializes in elderly care. There are no precise statistics but you can ask your colleagues and co-workers and it would be very evident that a majority of nurses specializes in the care of the elderly. It is very important to know the geriatric patient population as there are projections that it is expected to grow exponentially in the next decade or so. From 58 million in 2022, projections are there will be around 82 million Americans over 65 years old by 2050. Advances in health care have made it possible for many Americans to live longer. Caring for the elderly had become a specialty by itself. Geriatric nursing came about as clinicians acknowledge that this is a distinct and specialized type of nursing.
Learning Objectives
- Acknowledge that the geriatric population is expected to continuously grow exponentially in the next decade or so. From 58 million in 2022, projections are there will be around 82 million Americans over 65 years old by 2050.
- Understand what geriatric nursing is all about.
- Understand that geriatric nursing does not stop in the person’s health. An inter-disciplinary approach is essential to take care of all the needs of an elderly patient.
- List common age related issues of the geriatric client.
- Understand the common elements in an assessment of an elderly patient.
- Explore common care plans for the geriatric patient.
- Understand the need to address the socio-economic issues of the elderly patient.