Role of A Gerontological Nurse

Gerontological nursing is gaining more popularity in theto the older patients, the nurse should be aware of
field of nursing profession, of late. Moreover, demandthe various possible complications and risk factors in
for quality nurses in gerontology is more likely tothe treatment.
increase in the coming years, thanks to the increasingIn addition to nursing care and assistance, a
number of baby boomers in the world and the rapidgerontological nurse has some additional responsibilities
development in qualitative health care services. Alsoas well. He or she has to take up the role of teaching
referred to as geriatric nursing in some parts of theto the aged persons, especially in connection with the
world, this specialized field involves providingslight modification in the life style to counter the
adequate care and assistance to the aged/old people,consequences of atypical symptoms that accompany
more specifically, those who are aged 65 years andthe old age. The nurse should teach the older
above.persons about the importance of weight
Most of us might have experienced or aware of themaintenance, indulging in some sort of physical
problems that accompany the older adults, havingactivities as exercises and stress management to
seen or interacted with our own grandparents, otherdeal with the old age with cheer and happiness. The
relatives aged above 65 and even our own parentsrisk for diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and
who undergo changes as every year passes by andeven cancer are more in old persons than the
old age appears nearer.younger ones. The gerontological nurse should
It becomes imperative on the part of theeducate the aged / old age patients about the ways
gerontological nurse to understand the challenges thatand means to lessen the risk of such diseases.
come with taking care of the older results. TheA gerontological nurse is expected to have some
complex nature of older adults requires special careadditional traits or qualifications. He or she should act
and attention.as a manager for the patient, displaying managerial
The gerontological nurse will be responsible forqualities in connection with day-to-day activities of
providing adequate specialized care to the agedthe patient. The family responsibilities of an aged
people, irrespective of the environment or setting.person invariably might be more, and as such, it
They may be expected to take care of the agedbecomes the responsibility of the nurse to schedule
people in a hospital, or in an old-age home, or in athe routine activities of the patient in such cases, so
home environment Not only will the setting will be athat there will not be any complications for health.
challenging one, the symptoms from older patientsThe gerontological nurse, entrusted with the
will also challenging and might complicate treatmentresponsibility of providing health care and assistance
and diagnosis aspects of patient care.to an old person, should ensure that the autonomy
The nurse is expected to have thorough knowledgeor individualism of the patient is not affected. The
and adequate experience in the treatment ofnurse should, at times, act as an advocate for the
diseases, including the atypical symptoms, diseasepatient, and ensure that the patient's independency
processes and syndromes that typically accompanyand dignity are not diluted or encroached.
an aged person. While providing care and assistance