SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS
Describe the diversity of the older adult population group, along with pertinent facts and trends regarding:
- common concerns
- demographics, politics and power
- economics & education
- definitions of aging, along with myths and falsely-held beliefs and attitudes
- aging through history, theories of aging and models of care for the older adult
- development and aging
SECTION 2: GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING ROLES
Explain the range of nursing roles and an understanding of:
- the development of gerontological nursing
- principles and standards guiding gerontological nursing
- roles in acute and long term care settings as well as ones in the community
- primary, secondary and tertiary intervention as prevention in both community and inpatient setting
- discharge planning
- psychosocial rehabilitation concepts, environmental concerns
- psychiatric nurses as case/care managers
SECTION 3: HEALTH AND AGING
Identify and utilize key concepts related to how:
- how older adults learn, memory
- to plan care for the older adult, understanding that elder care is a specialized area of practice
- the nurse’s attitude and the client’s attitude influence assessments and care of the older adult
- language and sensory deficits can affect communication and care
- to deal with issues related to social supports, sexuality and spirituality
- to assist the older adult in developing strategies to avoid falls and other safety hazards through the use of prevention as intervention as a strategy
- to assist the older adult in developing strategies to prevent isolation and inactivity
SECTION 4: OLDER ADULTS AND INPATIENT SETTINGS
Describe and implement concepts and skills related to:
- identification of depression
- identification of delirium
- therapeutic environment, communication and socialization in inpatient settings
- appropriate nutrition, hydration regiments
- avoiding polypharmacy and drug-food interactions
- devising ways to ensure the older adult meets his/her sleep and rest requirements
- being able to teach stress reduction techniques to the older adult as well as be able to convey the importance of stress reduction to health living
- reducing risks for falls, along with identification and prevention of risk factors
SECTION 5: OLDER ADULTS AND THE COMMUNITY
For the exemplar of Dementia; Demonstrate a clear understanding of:
- the needs of the caregiver
- the strengths and stressors of the caregiver
- the trajectory of different caregivers’ experiences
- support systems for caregivers
- one example of community partnerships and caregivers
SECTION 6: PHARMACOLOGY AND AGING
Describe and analyze:
- pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics in relation to the aged
- age-related risk factors and adverse reactions to drugs and substances
- polypharmacy and the aged, along with food and drug interactions
- prevention of drug and substance abuse
- alternatives to drugs and other chemicals – teaching and learning
- how to respond to drug and substance misuse and abuse
- effective use of selected techniques and tools in substance use assessment
SECTION 7: LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Appreciation and implementation of nursing interventions with respect to:
- patient rights
- a values history
- the role of informed consent as well as advanced directives and representation agreements
- research and consent of older adults engaged in research
- restraints
- elder abuse and neglect; along with the prevention of abuse and neglect
SECTION 8: END OF LIFE CONCERNS
Describe and utilize knowledge and interventions pertaining to:
- student’s own experiences with death and end-of-life issues
- family experiences with death and end-of-life concerns
- psychiatric nurses working with individuals facing end-of-life issues
- physical, psychological, emotional, developmental and spiritual needs of the dying patient
- the variety of settings where care for dying individuals can be provided