NURSING ASPECT

1. BY:GROUP 4

2. TERMINOLOGIES U NEED TO KNOW:
 AGING: It is the normal process of becoming older.
 It is a time-related change which begins with birth &
continues through out life.
GERIATRICS: It is the study of old age that includes the
physiology,pathology,diagnosis, & Mx of the disorders
& diseases of older adults.

3. TERMINOLOGIES contd….
 GERIATRIC Nsg: It is the field of nsg that relates to the
assessment,nursing diagnosis,planning,implementation
& evaluation of older adults in all envrnmnts including
acute, intermediate & skilled care as well as within the
community
 GERONTOLOGY: The combined biologic, psychologic &
sociologic study of older adults within their envrnmnt

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF AGING:
1. Increased MORTALITY
2. CHANGES in the body’s CHEMICAL
COMPOSITIONS (decrease in lean body mass,
increase in fats & lipofuscins, &cross-linking of
collagen tissues)
3. Progressive DETERIORATIVE changes
4. Reduced ADAPTATION ABILITY to envrnmntal
changes
5. Increased VULNERABILITY to multiple diseases

6. THEORIES OF AGING:
 BIOLOGIC THEORIES:
 Intrinsic aging
 Genetically programmed
 Essentially universal & irreversible
 DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES: (Erikson,1963)
 Life consists of 8 stages
 Each represents a crucial turning point in life
 Major task: achieve ego integrity or to suffer despair

7. THEORIES contd….
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS FOR OLDER ADULTS….
(Erikson + Havighurst’s concepts)
1. Maintenance of self-worth
2. Conflict resolution
3. Adjustment to the death of significant others
4. Environmental adaptation
5. Maintenance of optimal levels of wellness

8. THEORIES contd…..
 SOCIOLOGIC THEORIES:
 Social interactions & roles contribute to successful
adjustment
 Continuity & connection to the past are maintained
through a well established habits, values & interests
 The theories emphasize the importance of
environmental & psychosocial factors in the
developmntal & current functiong of the person

9. THEORIES contd….
 NURSING THEORY: (Miller, 2004)
 Challenges nurses to consider the effects of normal
age-related changes as well as the damage incurred
through disease or environmental & behavioral risk
factors
 It suggests that, nurses can alter the outcome for
patients through nursing interventions

10. AGE-RELATED CHANGES
CHANGES
PSYCHOSOCIAL
PHYSICAL
COGNITIVE
PHARMACOLOGIC

11. PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS
 Problem in adapting to……
 Physical
 Social &
 Emotional losses
 & to achieve contentment
 Life satisfaction
 Serenity

12. PHYSICAL ASPECTS
• Decreased cardiac output
• Slower heart recovery rateCardiovascular
• Increase residual lung volume
• Decreased gas exchangeRespiratory
• Decrease protection against trauma & temperature
• Diminished secretion of natural oils & perspirationIntegumentary

13. PHYSICAL ASPECTS contd….
• Female: vaginal narrowing & decreased
elasticity
• Male: slower sexual response
Reproductive
• Loss of bone density & muscle strength
• Degenerated joint cartilage
Musculoskeletal
• Male: BPH
• Female: incontinence
Genitourinary

14. PHYSICAL ASPECTS contd…
• Decreased salivation
• Reduced GI motility
Gastrointestinal
• Delayed nerve conduction
• Reduced cerebral circulation
Nervous system
• Diminished vision, hearing
• Diminished taste & smell
Special senses

15. COGNITIVE ASPECTS
INTELLIGENCE
Decline
Diminished
problem solving
ability
Learning &
memory
Variation in
motor & sensory
function
Poor ability to
learn effectively
due to poor
intelligence

16. PHARMOCOLOGIC ASPECTS
Altered pharmacokinetics
Drug-food
interaction
Changes in
gastric PH
Decrease
in GI
motility

17. HEALTH PROMOTION STRATEGIES
CARDIOVASCULAR RESPIRATORY
 Exercise regularly
 Pace activities
 Avoid smoking
 Eat low-fat, low-salt diet
 Participate in stress reduction
 Regular BP checks
 Medication compliance
 Weight control
 Adequate fluid intake to
liquefy secretions
 Yearly influenza immunizatn
 Avoid exposure to URI
 Stop smoking
 Exercise regularly

18. PROMOTION STRATEGIES contd…
INTEGUMENTORY MUSCULOSKELETAL
 Avoid solar exposure
 Use Seasonal clothing
 Lubricate skin
 Maintain safe indoor temp
 Shower pref to tub bath
 Exercise regularly
 Eat high-calcium diet
 Limit phosphorus intake
 Take calcium & vitamin D
supplements as prescribed

19. PROMOTION STRATEGIES contd..
GENITOURINARY
 Seek urology check-ups
 Wear easily manipulated
clothing
 Drink adequate fluids
 Avoid bladder irritants
 Do pelvic floor muscle
exercises
GASTROINTESTINAL
 Use ice chips
 Brush, floss, & massage
gums daily
 Receive regular dental
care
 Eat small frequent feeds
 Limit antacids
 Eat high fiber diet
 Limit laxatives

20. PROMOTION STRATEGIES
NERVOUS SYSTEM SPECIAL SENSES
 Pace teaching
 Enhance sensory stimulatn
 Encourage slow rising from a
resting position
 Wear eyeglasses
 Avoid night driving
 Use contrasting colors for
color coding
 Avoid glare of shiny surfaces
 Avoid direct sunlight
 Speak with low-pitched voice

21. MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
DEPRESSION DEMENTIA DELIRIUM

22. DEPRESSION
 Feeling of sadness
 Fatigue
 Diminished memory & concentration
 Feeling of guilt & worthlessness
 Loss of appetite
 Sleep disturbance

23. DELIRIUM
 Altered level of consciousness
 Ranging from stupor to excessive activity
 Disorganized thinking
 Hallucination, delusion
 Fear & anxiety

24. DEMENTIA
Alzheimer’s
disease
Progressive,
irreversible,
degenerative
neurologic disease
Memory loss,
difficulty in work
Vascular
dementia
Multi-infarct
dementia associated
with hypertension &
cardiovascular
disease
Downward decline in
mental function, sub
clinical stroke

25. NURSES ROLE IN CARE OF AGED
 Knowledgeable about geriatric nursing
 Skilled in meeting the needs of older patients
 Understand that aging is not synonymous with disease
 Understand that aging is a highly complex & varied
process
 Consider functional assessment as a common frame
work
 Help older people to maintain max autonomy &
dignity despite of physical & psychological losses
 Early interventions can prevent further complications