NUR 420 Gerontology

Aging is a normal process, but as the population ages and utilizes the current health care system in record numbers, it is apparent that numbers of gerontologically trained nursing staff are lacking. The lack of quality educated nurses impacts negatively on the quality of care the older patients receive since nurses play an essential role in the provision of acute and chronic care, including the provision of health education, and the concepts of health promotion. This course is designed to provide basic information on the care of the aging patient. Included in class discussion will be the theories of normal aging, including the physiologic and psychosocial changes and the problems that occur in relationship to these changes, as well as the appropriate nursing intervention and the ethical/legal aspects of caring for the geriatric patient.