Geriatric Nursing

The branch of nursing deals with the care of the older population, including promotion of healthy aging as well as prevention, treatment and management of physical, psychological, pathological, economic, and sociological problems.

Geriatric nurses focus on health and age-related diseases, including

Osteoporosis | Cancer | Stroke | Alzheimer's disease/ dementia | Arthritis | Chronic pain | Poly-pharmacy | Medication tolerance | Falls | Nutritional deficiency | Impaired mobility | Incontinence

Geriatric nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings such as:

Hospitals | Skilled nursing facilities | Nursing homes | Patient homes| Retirement Communties | Memory care centers | Outpatient ambulatory care clinics | Home health | As Clinical educators in healthcare facilities, universities, and community colleges | Case management (BSN-prepared RNs)

Roles & Duties of a Geriatric Nurse

• Physical mental and emotional well-being of their patients
• Conduct routine check-ups, measuring and recording vital signs
• Explain a patient’s care regimen and administering medications;
• Act as a liaison between the family members, the patient, and the physician
• Giving advices to the patient on certain health and ability related issues.
• Exercising and massaging patients;
• Develop patient care plan, education, treatment planning, mental health, and rehabilitation
• Watching for signs of elder abuse;
• Transporting patients to doctor’s visits and other appointments; and
• Assisting patients with their daily needs, such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom and bedsore prevention

The nurses shortage continues to affect all specialties of nursing and It is estimated that 50-150% more Geriatric nurses will be needed in the next decade.