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Gerontology

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A Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Overview:

The consequences of America’s surge in its aging population are profound. More than half of those over age 65 report at least one disability. Three-quarters of those over age 80 have at least one chronic condition such as arthritis or hypertension.

Due to these complex medical issues, elderly individuals benefit from a thorough geriatric assessment. This type of multidimensional and multidisciplinary assessment encompasses more than just a routine physical exam that might be sufficient for a younger adult. A comprehensive geriatric assessment focuses attention on the functional, mental and social capacity of the elderly person.

This updated edition of Medcom’s course on geriatric assessment concentrates on those portions of a total assessment that are commonly performed in a clinical setting. It describes a functional assessment and demonstrates a step-by step physical assessment, identifying steps that may differ in evaluating the health status of an older adult. It also provides a brief overview on mental status assessment as well as the importance of an inventory of medications.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Explain the importance of performing an accurate and thorough assessment of the geriatric patient
Take a health history and perform a functional assessment
Perform a comprehensive, “head-to-toe” physical assessment of the patient
Assess the mental status of the geriatric patient
Take an inventory of medications that the patient is currently on

Aging - The Natural Process

Product code: M203 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

This program takes a look at the changes that occur naturally to the various systems of the human body as a person ages and describes actions that can be taken to maximize and maintain their functionality.

The material is organized around the following categories:

Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Musculoskeletal System
Central Nervous System
Gastrointestinal System
Genitourinary System
Integumentary System
Touch and Pain
Vision
Hearing
Emotions

Alzheimer's Disease: Part 1, Coping with Confusion

Product code: A2129

Overview:

Stresses specific interventions for problems of personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise, incontinence, wandering, communication and agitation.

Caring for the Alzheimer's Resident: A Day in the Life of Nancy Moore

Product code: 78309

Overview:

Nurse's Aide, Nancy Moore, relates the customized patient skills needed in caring for Alzheimer's residents. As she progresses through her daily routine, the critical role of the nurse's aide in determining the quality of care is emphasized, as well as the importance of maintaining the patient's dignity and independence.

Functional Assessment of the Elderly, Part 1: Cognitive and Special Senses

Product code: A2130

Overview:

Helps nurses recognize age-related physiological changes, including a decline in vision or hearing and changes in cognitive and emotional capabilities. Defines skills and relates them to the corresponding activities of daily life: reading, writing, spending money, taking medication, and using the telephone.

Functional Assessment of the Elderly, Part 2: Activities of Daily Living

Product code: A2139

Overview:

Shows how to assess an elderly client's functions after age-related and pathophysiological changes have occurred. Teaches how to use assessment data to plan appropriate nursing interventions. Covers eating, ambulating, toileting and grooming, climbing stairs, shopping, keeping house, interacting with others, and traveling. Examines the cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and their effect on such functions.

Gerontology: Meeting Mental Health Needs

Product code: M098 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Explains the five steps of the nursing process in an assessment of normal and abnormal mental changes of aging.

Gerontology: Meeting Mobility, Sexual and Nutritional Needs

Product code: M100 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Compassionately deals with helping the elderly maintain their independence, intimacy and optimal health status.

Gerontology: Meeting Oxygenation, Fluid and Electrolyte Needs

Product code: M099 Reviewed for accuracy: 2009

Overview:

Focuses on the nurse's role in meeting specific needs of the elderly affected with common illnesses.

How the Body Ages, Part 1: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Musculoskeletal Systems

Series Overview:

This series provides nurses and other healthcare workers with a description of how the aging process affects the major body systems, along with practices and strategies that can be used to preserve their functions.

Overview:

This program discusses the changes that occur in the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system. Understanding these changes can be crucial to helping you assist older adults maintain their quality of life.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Outline common changes to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems due to the aging process
List signs and symptoms of damage and disease to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems
Describe practices that can improve cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal health

How the Body Ages, Part 2: Central Nervous System, The Senses, and Emotions

Series Overview:

In the 21st century, people are living longer, healthier lives. Even though aging is a natural process which often entails physical or mental degeneration, older adults, like people of any age, can strive for maximum quality of life. Nurses and others providing care to older adults, often play a key role in maintaining, and, when possible, increasing, active participation in life in order to promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of those they care for.

This series provides nurses and other healthcare workers with a description of how the aging process affects the major body systems, along with practices and strategies that can be used to preserve their functions.

Overview:

This program provides nurses and other healthcare workers with knowledge and tools to understand the changes that occur in the central nervous system, the senses, and the emotions of the aging patient. Understanding these changes can be crucial to helping you assist older adults maintain their quality of life.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the changes that commonly occur in the central nervous system, and the implications of those changes.
Describe strategies to preserve mental function.
Explain how age-related diseases can impair mental function.
Describe how aging affects the major senses, including vision, hearing, touch and pain.
List aging effects on emotions, and what can be done to help steady those emotions.

How the Body Ages, Part 3: Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Integumentary Systems

Series Overview:

Overview:

This program provides nurses and other healthcare workers with knowledge and tools to understand the changes that occur in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems of the aging patient. Understanding these changes can be crucial to helping you assist older adults maintain their quality of life.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe changes that may affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal system and ways to prevent constipation in the elderly.
Describe changes in the genitourinary and central nervous systems that may occur with aging.
Describe changes that commonly occur in the integumentary system during the aging process, and ways to keep the skin and nails of the elderly healthy.

I'm Pretty Old

Product code: 78308 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

The reflections and comments of several older residents in a long term care facility emphasize what it is like to give up some of their independence as they experience increased physical frailty. This is an excellent resource for professionals dealing with older patients.

Medication Use by the Elderly: Implications for Nurses

Product code: A2217

Overview:

Shows proper procedures for taking the history; explains how physiological aging affects drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; and covers principles of prescribing for the elderly. Drug interactions and food/drug interaction are addressed as well as certain problematic drugs for the elderly.

Nutritional Assessment of the Elderly Closed-Captioned Version

Product code: A2143

Overview:

Correct assessment is a multidimensional process which requires a detailed history as well as specific physical and biochemical measurements. This program examines components of the process, with reference to the need for nutritional intervention in elderly patients.

*(Closed-Captioned Version)

Preventing Elder Abuse: Helping Keep Residents Safe

Series Overview:

Elder abuse is a serious problem in America. Recent studies have shown an increase in abuse over the last decade. Each year between one and two million elderly citizens are victims of abuse and neglect in America. It is widely accepted that this data is incomplete, but the statistics call attention to the seriousness of the problem.

As mandatory reporters of abuse and suspected abuse, nurses must be familiar with the risk factors that can lead a caregiver to be abusive, the types and signs of elder abuse, what to do if elder abuse is suspected. This course provides the learner with this information.

Overview:

This program describes the importance of recognizing elder abuse, both assist in the patient's continuing care and to avoid legal implications.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe types and signs of elder abuse.
Identify factors that put elders at risk of becoming abused.
Identify factors that put caregivers at risk of becoming abusive.
Describe the steps that should be taken if elder abuse is suspected.
Identify when reporting is necessary and how and where to report suspected abuse.

04/02/2012 Update:

This activity was developed for nurses and other professional healthcare providers to identify and manage suspected and actual cases of elder abuse.

Understanding How Aging Can Affect Your Family Member

Product code: M213

Overview:

As we age, we can expect changes to occur in the systems that make up the human body. Although exactly what kinds of changes will take place and when vary greatly with each individual, aging is inescapable - a part of the continuum of life. While some changes are easy to accept, we may find other changes disturbing. Especially when we see them in our loved ones.

Learning about normal age-related changes will both help alleviate anxiety you may have and more importantly, help you provide better care for your loved one by being able to understand and communicate better with them and their healthcare team.

Urinary Incontinence in Adults

Product code: M146 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Between 15-30% of all adults over the age of 60 suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). This program covers the causes and types of UI, how to identify and evaluate and treatment options.