Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Nursing Care in the Geriatric Population
Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Geriatric Nursing Care
Angelia F. Russell
University of Massachusetts Boston
Author Note This paper was prepared for Nursing 360, Section 06D, taught by Professor Peterson.
Abstract
The geriatric patient population is not only increasing in numbers and longevity, but also in the complexity of their health care issues and needs. On the raise as well are the barriers and prejudices with caring for the aging population amongst healthcare providers. It is these barriers and prejudices that hinder healthcare providers to want to take the initiative to improve care for the aging. Preservation of our elder patient population’s dignity should be of the upmost importance. In order to preserve and maintain this dignity, as healthcare providers we need to understand what barriers and subconscious prejudices we may have and work to diminish.
Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Geriatric Nursing Care
In September 2010, the American Association of Colleges for Nursing’s wrote, “Older adults constitute a majority – and growing – proportion of people who receive nursing care in the United States” (p. 7). Potential complications related to the increased longevity and duration of chronic illnesses are also on the raise with the elder population. In order to prevent these potential complications, healthcare providers need to remove the barriers and prejudices they may have in order to provide the aging client with the most optimal care.
This following questions need to be addressed by the healthcare provider: 1. What are the healthcare provider barriers? 2. Ageism, is it a healthcare provider prejudice? 3. How do we as healthcare providers diminish these barriers and prejudices?
Answering these questions will assist the healthcare provider in gaining a better understanding of the aging population. In addition, by understanding what our barriers, prejudices, and in other words limitations
Angelia F. Russell
University of Massachusetts Boston
Author Note This paper was prepared for Nursing 360, Section 06D, taught by Professor Peterson.
Abstract
The geriatric patient population is not only increasing in numbers and longevity, but also in the complexity of their health care issues and needs. On the raise as well are the barriers and prejudices with caring for the aging population amongst healthcare providers. It is these barriers and prejudices that hinder healthcare providers to want to take the initiative to improve care for the aging. Preservation of our elder patient population’s dignity should be of the upmost importance. In order to preserve and maintain this dignity, as healthcare providers we need to understand what barriers and subconscious prejudices we may have and work to diminish.
Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Geriatric Nursing Care
In September 2010, the American Association of Colleges for Nursing’s wrote, “Older adults constitute a majority – and growing – proportion of people who receive nursing care in the United States” (p. 7). Potential complications related to the increased longevity and duration of chronic illnesses are also on the raise with the elder population. In order to prevent these potential complications, healthcare providers need to remove the barriers and prejudices they may have in order to provide the aging client with the most optimal care.
This following questions need to be addressed by the healthcare provider: 1. What are the healthcare provider barriers? 2. Ageism, is it a healthcare provider prejudice? 3. How do we as healthcare providers diminish these barriers and prejudices?
Answering these questions will assist the healthcare provider in gaining a better understanding of the aging population. In addition, by understanding what our barriers, prejudices, and in other words limitations
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