role of the registered nurse in care of the older person

pvjerrys · Jan 3, 2006

I have this question
Identify and discuss the role, responsibilities and skills required of a registered nurse in providing high quality care for the older person.
I just don't know where to start here. What do you think are the main points I should write about in this essay.

First of all, you need to define "older person." :chair:

What about basing your essay on the Nursing Process? I'd look at some physical changes in the elderly (if that is the "older person that this essay is about). Last, but not least, read the developmental changes (example: Eriksen) so that your essay will be individualized to the "older person."

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jan 3, 2006

Let's start off thinking about what challenges the older patient experiences versus a younger patient. Not necessarily specific diagnoses, but the big picture. From there we can look at the things that a nurse can impact. Chronic medical problems/multiple meds/possible forgetfulness/financial constraints/poor social support, etc.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2006

You want to go back to your human growth and development textbook and look at the specific life tasks of older persons. There are categories of elderly, the very old, etc. The nurses role will generally revolve around assisting patients to carry out ADLs as well. So, in a geriatric textbook you'll want to look at the kind of medical situations facing the elderly as compared to younger people. You'll also want to list the kinds of other situations they face in meeting their basic needs of living. The RNs role is almost always going to be to assist the patient in achieving their ADLs and meeting their basic needs. Your responsibilites and needs will flow from that.