GERIATRIC
NURSING
BY
Ms. Kairu 1
,Course objectives
Broad objective
The student will acquire knowledge, develop skills and
attitudes in order to provide care for the elderly persons.
Specific objectives
1. The student will be able to describe the role of the KRCHN
with regard to health promotion in the care of the elderly.
2. The student will be able to assess elderly persons and
diagnose deviations from normal
3. Review of growth and development
4. Review the ageing process
5. Review the grieving process
6. History taking in the elderly
7. Physical examination of the elderly 2
, Definition of terms
Gerontology: a branch of science that deals with aging and problems
of the aged people.
Geriatrics: is the study of medical aspect of old age and application of
the knowledge related to biological, biomedical, behavioral and social
aspects of aging to the prevention and care of the elderly person.
Aging: total time related changes experienced by an individual which
are biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual.
– Slowing of body processes affecting a variety of functions
Ageism: a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination
against old people because they are old.
Gerontophobia: unreasonable fear and irrational hatred of older
people
Age: the length of time that has passed since birth.
Types of aging: feel age, identity age, cognitive age, perceived age, or
self perceived age 3
, Life expectancy: statistically determined number of years that a person at
a particular age may expect to life.
Lifespan: longest period of life of an organism known from the study of it.
Biological clock: each cell is believed to be programmed through the DNA
to self-destruct i.e. contain cells that are known to multiply and divide a
fixed number of times and then self-destruct.
Aging pacemaker: pacemaker in the brain initiates a neuro-hormonal
response possibly through serotonin, dopamine neurotransmitter or
tryptophan that results in aging.
Stages of aging
– 55 – 65 young old
– 65 – 75 middle old
– Over 75 years old old
Challenges of old age
– Retirement
– Widowhood
– Chronic illness
– Relocation e.g. to rural areas 4
NURSING
BY
Ms. Kairu 1
,Course objectives
Broad objective
The student will acquire knowledge, develop skills and
attitudes in order to provide care for the elderly persons.
Specific objectives
1. The student will be able to describe the role of the KRCHN
with regard to health promotion in the care of the elderly.
2. The student will be able to assess elderly persons and
diagnose deviations from normal
3. Review of growth and development
4. Review the ageing process
5. Review the grieving process
6. History taking in the elderly
7. Physical examination of the elderly 2
, Definition of terms
Gerontology: a branch of science that deals with aging and problems
of the aged people.
Geriatrics: is the study of medical aspect of old age and application of
the knowledge related to biological, biomedical, behavioral and social
aspects of aging to the prevention and care of the elderly person.
Aging: total time related changes experienced by an individual which
are biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual.
– Slowing of body processes affecting a variety of functions
Ageism: a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination
against old people because they are old.
Gerontophobia: unreasonable fear and irrational hatred of older
people
Age: the length of time that has passed since birth.
Types of aging: feel age, identity age, cognitive age, perceived age, or
self perceived age 3
, Life expectancy: statistically determined number of years that a person at
a particular age may expect to life.
Lifespan: longest period of life of an organism known from the study of it.
Biological clock: each cell is believed to be programmed through the DNA
to self-destruct i.e. contain cells that are known to multiply and divide a
fixed number of times and then self-destruct.
Aging pacemaker: pacemaker in the brain initiates a neuro-hormonal
response possibly through serotonin, dopamine neurotransmitter or
tryptophan that results in aging.
Stages of aging
– 55 – 65 young old
– 65 – 75 middle old
– Over 75 years old old
Challenges of old age
– Retirement
– Widowhood
– Chronic illness
– Relocation e.g. to rural areas 4
