Chapter 42 Challenges of the Future

1. Chapter 42Challenges of the Future

2. Past Perception of Gerontological Nurses • Power and leadership of nurses for gerontological care did not equal the responsibility and workload assumed. • Geriatric care settings grew under the direction of persons who did not always have a good understanding of health care. • There was often more concern with profits than quality. • Nurses were seen as a means to an end rather than as the backbone of care. • Nurses in the past were not an entrepreneurial group.

3. Gerontological Nursing Today • Excellent strides have been made in the advancement of gerontological nursing. • Gerontological nurses are filling dynamic roles in diverse care settings. • Growing numbers of nurses are recognizing the benefits of this specialty. • Excellent research is being conducted. • Increasing numbers of nursing schools are addressing gerontological nursing in their programs.

4. Supporting Nursing Research • Network with nurse researchers. • Support research efforts.  • Keep abreast of new findings.

5. Roles of Gerontological Nurse • Promote integrative care • Educate caregivers • Develop new roles • Balance quality care and health care costs

6. Influencing the Education of Caregivers • Helping nursing schools identify relevant issues for inclusion in the curricula • Participating in the classroom and field experience of students • Evaluating educational deficits of personnel and plan education experiences to eliminate deficits • Promoting interdisciplinary team conferences

7. Influencing the Education of Caregivers (cont.) • Attending and participating in continuing education programs • Reading current nursing literature and sharing information with colleagues • Serving as a role model by demonstrating current practices

8. New Models of Practice for Gerontological Nurses • Geropsychiatric nurse specialist in the assisted living setting • Independent case manager for community-based chronically ill patients • Columnist for local newspaper on issues pertaining to health and aging • Owner or director of elder women’s health care center, geriatric day-care program, respite agency, or caregiver training center

9. New Models of Practice for Gerontological Nurses (cont.) • Preretirement counselor and educator for private industry • Parish nurse • Consultant, educator, and case manager for geriatric surgical patients

10. Cost-Containment Efforts to Balance Services and Budgetary Concerns • Test creative staffing patterns. • Use lay caregivers • Abolish unnecessary practices • Ensure safe care • Advocate for older adults

11. Source • Eliopoulos, C. (2005).  Gerontological Nursing, (6th ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (ISBN 0-7817-4428-8).