Age-specific competencies refer to skills that allow healthcare providers to tailor care to a patient's unique needs based on their age and stage of development. There are physiological and psychological differences between age groups that influence patient care. The document outlines characteristics and considerations for caring for patients in adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and late adulthood. Providers should avoid stereotyping and consider all factors that may affect a patient's care needs.
2. What Are Age-Specific Competencies??
Age-Specific Competencies are skills that you use to give
care that meet each patient’s unique needs. Every patient
is unique with their own likes, dislikes, beliefs, limitations,
abilities and experiences. However, everyone grows and
develops in a similar way. Experts believe that people
grow and develop in
stages that are related to
their age and that they
share qualities at each one
of those stages.
Understanding these
stages is the key to age-
specific competencies.
3. THE DIFFERENT STAGES…..
There are
physiological and
psychological
differences and
changes during each
stage of life. Both of
these influence
patient care.
Stage (or age):
• 0 to 1 year
• 2 to 3 years
• 4 to 5 years
• 6 to puberty
• Adolescence
• Early adulthood
• Middle adulthood
• Late adulthood
4. NEC patient’s are from the age of 14 to 100.
Since infants and young children are not
treated at the Center, their stages of life will
not be addressed.
NEC Admission criteria states that all patients under the
age of 18 years, must weight at least 110 pounds.
6. Adolescents (ages 13 -20)
Physical
• Physical growth is in spurts;
rapid growth changes in
height, weight, body
proportions
• Girls generally develop and
mature earlier than boys
• Matures physically
• Little understanding
of the structure and
workings of their
bodies
Psychosocial
• Develops own identity; builds
close relationships; tries to
balance peer group with family
interests
• Concerned with appearance;
self-conscious
• Challenges authority
• Fears: loss of control, altered
body image, separation from
peer group
• Tend to think that they are
invincible.
• Physical Appearance is
important
7. Care of the Adolescent (ages 13 to 20)
• Provide privacy
• Use correct terms
• Discuss concerns
• Provide education
about their medical
condition
• Speak to the patient (do
not just address the
parent)
• The age of legal
responsibility is 18
years.
– Under 18, must have
parent consent. Parent
must sign consent
– Over the age of 18,
patient must consent to
parent involvement or
knowledge of health
issues. Patient signs
informed consent.
9. Young Adult (ages 21 to 39)
Physical
• Reach physical and sexual
maturity
• Nutritional needs are
maintenance, no growth after age
of 30
• Muscular efficiency peaks at 20 –
30
• GI system decreases secretions
after age 30
• Mental abilities reach
peak during twenties
Psychosocial
• Develop a personal identity
and self-reliance
• Seeks closeness with others;
may start family
• Establish a value system and
uses it to life choices
• Set career goals
10. Care of the Young Adult (ages 21 to 39)
• With consent, involve
significant other or other
support system
• Allow privacy
• Educate patient on
procedure and possible
outcomes
• Assess how illness or
disease will affect their
life. Ask them about their
concerns
• Educate patient on new
disease diagnosis, diet,
medications, and coping.
Provide education
pamphlets, if available.
• Encourage support
groups, as indicated.
12. Middle Age Adult (ages 40 to 64)
Physical
• Experiences physical changes:
– Decreased endurance,
– Decrease in body mass, muscular strength
– Loss of skin elasticity, dry eyes & skin, increase appearance of
wrinkles
• Women experience menopause
• Illness or injury may interfere with plans. Chronic disease
may develop
• Decreased renal function, metabolic rate, and heat and
cold tolerance
• Decreased short-term memory or recall
• Synthesis of new information is decreased
13. Middle Age Adult (ages 40 to 64)
Psychosocial
• Develop concern over the next generation
• May live in the “sandwich generation” – helping
children gain independence and caring for aging
parents. Some may be raising grandchildren
• They may become active in the community
• Reflect on their lives and their accomplishments
• Threats to physical image, loss of health causes stress
• May have feelings of loss of control, insecurity,
perceptions of aging, losing independence
• Begin emotionally preparing for death
14. Care of the Middle Age Adult (ages 40 – 64)
• Allow time to talk about frustrations, concerns
about illness, worries for the future
• Assess barriers to learning and readiness to learn
• Educate about procedures, diet, safe medications
and healthy lifestyles. Use appropriate materials
• Provide privacy
• Allow choices and decision-making, whenever
possible
• Involve family or support system (following
privacy laws)
16. Adult ages 65-79
Physical
• Can be a wide difference
within this category, some
have failing health, some
remain fairly healthy
• May experience changes in
skin, muscle and sensory
abilities
• Higher risk of health
problems, such as infection
and chronic illnesses
• Decreased tolerance to
hot/cold
• Sleep patterns may change
• Declining cardiac & renal
function
• Decrease in muscle mass and
muscle tone (including muscle
tone of the GI tract)
• Food breaks down more slowly
and moves slower through the
GI tract, can result in
constipation and hemorrhoids.
• Weakening of sphincters can
lead to reflux, dysphasia,
choking, aspiration, bowel
and/or urinary incontinence.
• Cancer rates increase, especially
colon and prostate.
17. Adult ages 65 - 79
Psychosocial
• Changes in family role or
status:
– Widowed
– Death of children
– Raising grandchildren
• Changes in financial
situation
• Many experience
depression and loneliness
• Reduced autonomy and
self-determination
• May experience anxiety
about the future
18. Caring for the Adult (ages 65 – 79)
• Avoid assumptions about
loss of abilities. Do not
assume that they are hard
of hearing
• Assess learning barriers,
allow extra time to
absorb instructions.
Provide written
instructions for home use
• Encourage healthy habits
and social activity
• Activate fall precautions
• Provide privacy; provide
a safe, comfortable
environment, ensure
patient warmth.
• Give patient chances to
reminisce, to help
promote a positive self-
image.
20. Adults ages 80 and older
Physical
• Higher risk of infection,
dehydration, poor
nutrition and chronic
illness.
• Mobility becomes harder
• Physical abilities
continue to deteriorate.
• Arteries lose elasticity,
accumulate calcium
deposits, resulting in
narrowed arteries and
high blood pressure
• Calcification of rib cage, loss of
elasticity of alveoli often results
in less effective gas exchange,
hypoxia, and increased risk of
respiratory infection
• Renal mass becomes smaller.
Bladder muscles weaken and
capacity decreases. Voiding
becomes difficult and bladder
infections may result
• Bone and mineral mass are
reduced putting them at
increased risk of fractures.
• Mental acuity and memory
decrease
21.
22. Adults ages 80 and older
Psychosocial
• May feel isolated or
upset due to loss of
– Family
– Friends
– Sensory abilities
– Financial independence
– Self confidence
• Accepts end-of-life and
personal losses; lives as
independently as possible
• Often reflect on their lives
and come to an
acceptance of death.
• They learn but at slower
rates and reduced
attention spans.
23. Care of the Adult ages 80 and older
• Promote self-care and
independence, as much
as possible
• Monitor age-related risks,
such as skin problems (for
example, when removing
tape)
• Don’t try to teach too
much new information at
one time
• Provide for patient’s
comfort and warmth
• Provide privacy, as
appropriate
• Involve family, respecting
HIPAA laws
• Place patient on fall
precautions
• May take longer for
patient to arouse in the
recovery room
24.
25.
26. Conclusion
• Growth and development follow general
patterns, but every individual grows &
develops in his or her own way
• Not every member in the age group share all
of the same physical and psychosocial
attributes
• Avoid stereotyping a patient – consider all the
factors that may affect his or her care needs.
28. Age Specific Care - Quiz
1. Which of the follow does not apply to the
adolescent?
A. Desire for privacy
B. Importance of physical appearance
C. Excelling in sports, the arts, or education
D. Welcomes advice
2. The adolescent might take chances that an adult
would not because he/she believes that nothing
bad will happen to them?
A. True
B. False
29. Age Specific Care - Quiz
3. Expect the young adult to build stronger ties:
A. Socially
B. Sexually
C. Occupationally
D. All of the above
4. Muscular efficiency peaks at which age group?
A. 15-20
B. 20-30
C. 25-35
30. Age Specific Care - Quiz
5. Characteristic of the middle aged adult include all of the
following except:
A. Age in which the synthesis of new information starts
to decrease
B. Threats to physical image arise
C. May be part of the sandwich generation
D. Reduced autonomy and self-determination
6. There can be a wide difference in adults ages 65 to 79.
Some experience failing health, both physical and
mental, while others remain fairly healthy physically
and mentally.
A. True
B. False
31. Age Specific Care - Quiz
7. In late adulthood, age 80 and over, may feel
isolated or upset due to loss of
A. Family
B. Friends
C. Sensory abilities
D. Financial independence
E. Self confidence
F. All of the above
