geriatric patients Archives

geriatric patients

A geriatric family-centered care model for hospitalized elders

April 11, 2013

This innovative model has helped reduce falls and pressure ulcers, and RN turnover rates have dropped as well.

geriatric geriatrics elderly old mother son

America needs a culture change

December 1, 2015

My name is Chad Allen and I am a psychiatric nurse who works with the geriatric population. As a psychiatric nurse, I have seen the geriatric population suffer…

Caring for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults

January 11, 2013

Current discussions on the unique health issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations have prompted the healthcare professions to reexamine their mission and values. The American…

Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy: Painful and sometimes paralyzing

March 11, 2011

This progressive degenerative spine condition is commonly mistaken for arthritis. This article covers assessment and management, including preop and postop care.

Closing in on the cause of agitation

March 11, 2011

When an elderly patient becomes confused and agitated, a careful history of recent procedures and medications points clinicians in the right direction.

Geriatric assessment: Essential skills for nurses

July 11, 2011

How to assess the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems, head, neck, face, and functional status

Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing releases first iPad app

February 11, 2013

On Feb. 5, 2013, the New York University College of Nursing’s (NYUCN) Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing (HIGN) announced the release of ConsultGeriRN, an app on the iPad…

How electronic health records are improving health care for elderly patients

November 11, 2013

Innovative information technology tools help ensure patients get the right care at the right time.

How to manage manipulative behavior in geriatric patients

October 11, 2016

Nursing is regularly rated as one of the most trusted professions, but nurses are also the target of allegations of abuse and negligence of patients. We are at…

Identifying complete heart block in elderly patients

November 11, 2006

How to use auscultation to distiguish sinus bradycardia from complete heart block in geriatric patients.

Keys, please

December 11, 2012

Discusses the problem of when it’s unsafe for an older person to drive.

Managing chronic pain in the elderly

September 11, 2010

Chronic pain has widespread effects on older adults. This article describes how to help patients manage it.

Managing dysphagia in elderly patients

March 11, 2011

Multiple factors make the elderly susceptible to dysphagia. The author reviews multidisciplinary management approaches and offers a checklist of simple nursing actions to promote assessment and management.

Older women with breast cancer less likely to benefit from chemotherapy

August 13, 2015

For women over the age of 80 who have breast cancer, the chances of survival due to chemotherapy are significantly lower, according to a study in the Journal…

Patients 80 years and older would likely benefit from more aggressive treatment for ACS

April 2, 2015

Patients over age 80 with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) would likely benefit from more invasive tests and therapies that may otherwise be denied them because of their age,…

Profile of caregivers.

June 14, 2017

A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society provides an overview of caregivers, including the tasks they perform and how it affects them. Study Examines Caregiving…

Study: Acute care elders unit shortens hospital stay, maintains patients’ functional abilities

June 11, 2012

June’s Health Affairs includes a study of an Acute Care for Elders Unit, which found that length of stay was significantly shorter, inpatient costs were lower, and patients’…

Study: Family caregivers provide complex, chronic care

September 11, 2012

“Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care, ” from AARP and United Hospital Fund, found that almost half (46%) of family caregivers perform medical/surgical tasks for care…

Study: Sedentary behavior associated with disability

February 11, 2014

A study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health reports that sedentary behavior in adults aged 60 years and older is a risk factor for disabilities in…

The impact of rounding on a geriatric psychiatric unit

December 1, 2017

A tool for patient safety and staff satisfaction. By Idrialis Perez-Carter, MS, RN Takeaways: Readers will be able to understand the purpose of staff rounding. Readers will identify…