Older Adult and Geriatric Care

Older Adult and Geriatric Care is organized by RnCeus Interactive.

Course Expiration: This course will be reviewed, revised, or retired on or before 6/25/2025

Description:
Introduction:
The aging process is a natural phenomenon that is both inevitable and universal. The number of older adults is increasing, and people are living longer. In 2018 the U.S. population aged sixty-five and older numbered 52.4 million, with older adults representing 15.6 percent of the population ( Fulmer et al. 2021). This number is projected to reach 23.5% (98 million) in 2060. As people age, the risk of chronic disease increases. 

It is essential to recognize that aging involves a great deal of interplay between lifestyle and genetics. A healthy lifestyle, a good diet, exercise, and routine medical care and screenings, have better experiences in aging. Clinicians must remain vigilant of disease manifestations in aging and, likewise, the presentation of physiologic derangements that pose a potential health risk, like falls and urinary tract infections (Flint et al. 2021).

Physiologic changes of Aging:
Aging is chronic, with a loss of regenerative and protective mechanisms in the body. Aging is a slow continuous process. There is a loss of cell turnover, decreased mucous membranes function, cachexia, skeletal muscle mass wasting, increased atherosclerotic decrease in vascular compliance, and cerebral atrophy eventually all contribute to the variety of changes we see in aging (Flint & Tadi, 2021).

Neurological:
Aging is associated with many neurological disorders, as the capacity of the brain to transmit signals and communicate reduces. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are progressive neurodegenerative diseases related to aging. Loss of cognitive abilities and independence is a source of fear for many older adults. An estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2021. Seventy-two percent are age 75 or older.
• One in nine people age 65 and older (11.3%) has Alzheimer's dementia.
• Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women.
• Older Black Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias as older Whites.
• Older Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias as older Whites.
In this course, we will be reviewing physiological and neurological changes associated with aging and guidelines for nursing care.

Participant outcomes:
Upon completion of this Nursing Continuing Professional Development course participants will be able to:
• Teach others how to use effective patient teaching strategies to reduce preventable memory and disease adverse changes in elderly patients.
• Evaluate patients for signs of elder abuse.
• Evaluate elderly patients for recommended health maintenance processes for cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal functioning.
• Assess for urinary tract infections in the elderly
• Assess the mental and emotional needs of the elderly in end-of-life care.