Geriatric Nursing – International Nurses Association

Geriatric Nursing – International Nurses Association As a geriatric nurse, you get to visit with patients that have a world of knowledge, and a lifetime of experience. Most geriatric patients feel very comfortable being honest, and simply telling it just as it is, which can make for a refreshing change, and a very unique experience.

Where do Geriatric Nurses work?

Nurses specializing in geriatric care can work in any capacity as a nurse.

There are geriatric patients in hospitals, and well as private practices, and the expertise from having geriatrics as a specialty can be very beneficial when working with elderly patients. Geriatric nurses are in high demand in nursing homes, retirement centers, and memory care facilities.

Responsibilities of a Geriatric Nurse The job responsibilities of a geriatric nurse range quite a bit. Memory care centers and nursing homes may require geriatric nurses to work with patients that are suffering from dementia, or age related medical conditions.

In this area much of the care would involve evaluating physical functions and cognitive skills of the patient. This particular type of nursing involves charting, and keeping records of the patient's progress, and their overall condition. Over the last decade, there has been a growing popularity in facilities that specialize in memory care management. Many nursing homes have sections that work with patients suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, and within these areas there is a need for numerous nurses that have specialized training in geriatric care.

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Providing the Best Care for Geriatric Patients A great portion of caring for geriatric patients involves motivation. As people age, there is a huge tendency to slow down physically. Joints become stiff and sore, and let's face it, it's not fun to move when there is pain involved. Geriatric patients need to stay active, it's as simple as that.

Making mobility fun or entertaining for older patients can offer encouragement for them to participate. Group settings, and games can

work well for many people, interaction with others is important to the well being of the elderly, and it helps to maintain social skills. Range of motion exercises can be recommended for bedridden patients. Any form of mobility is a positive part of a geriatric patient's care and treatment. Most older people still have a great sense of humor, so keeping things light can help to make procedures go smoothly. One geriatric nurse in a nursing home was noted for her entertainment of patients every time she visited their room and did any procedure or waited as they took their medications. She had a complete selection of very old songs that she would choose from, depending on which patient she was visiting. Many of the patients looked forward to her visits, even if uncomfortable medical procedures were involved, her ability to let them reminisce through music made it all worthwhile.

Is a Career in Geriatric Nursing Right for You? There are certainly some considerations before making up your mind to be specialized in geriatric care. You need to know what to expect with elderly patients, as their medical issues and care are often different from that of a younger population. Geriatric care may involve dealing with physical disabilities that the patients have from injuries or disease. Encouraging mobility is a top priority, and often a challenge, since a patient in pain may not want to move. There are also considerations regarding caring for Alzheimer's patients, or patients suffering from dementia. Working with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s can be challenging, and involves being very patient, and remaining calm, even if the patient is combative.

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End of life care is also a part of working with geriatric patients. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure the patient's' level of comfort is adequate, and that their care is the best possible until the end. Nurses working in geriatric care can expect to have heavy interaction with family members of their patients. When patients become incapable of making decisions for them, it often falls to the family members, who then turn to the nurse for assistance.

As the baby boomer population continues to age, the demand for more geriatric nurses will increase. Currently only one 1% of all nurses are certified geriatric nurses, so it is a career that is very much in demand. One thing that is required of geriatric nurses is to monitor patients closely for depression, which is fairly common among the elderly. For patients suffering from depression, it may be necessary to have an antidepressant

prescribed; the top priority is keeping the patient happy and comfortable.

If you would like to explore working in a geriatric specialized career, consider exploring it prior to continuing education aimed toward geriatric nursing. Many nursing homes and retirement centers enlist the help of volunteers, and devoting some time to volunteering would allow you to see firsthand what working with elderly patients exclusively is like.

A career in geriatric nursing is one that should be recognized and praised; after all you are caring for a very great population of individuals. Most geriatric patients have spent a lifetime as productive citizens, and now as they have reached a time of need; it is up to those caring for them to ensure they are in fact well cared for. Sadly, elder abuse is a reality, and should never be overlooked. If you ever suspect anyone, whether be medical personnel, caregiver, or family member, always report it to the proper authority, and follow up to ensure it was addressed. Never assume someone else will report it, as a nurse it is your responsibility to bring any case of abuse to proper authorities.

Geriatric nursing can actually be one of the best specialties in nursing that you could opt to work in. Geriatric patients have learned how to enjoy life, and let the small worries go. Many older patients are grateful for every day they are alive, and have truly learned to appreciate life. As a geriatric nurse, you may be the care provider to the patient; however you may in turn learn valuable life lessons from your patients every day.

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