Geriatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the physiological and psychological aspects of aging and treatment of diseases affecting the elderly. The worldwide elderly population is growing rapidly and is expected to double to over 2 billion by 2050. In India, the elderly population is over 82 million currently and is projected to reach 177 million by 2025. Gerontology is the scientific study of the biological, psychological and social phenomena associated with aging. The objectives of geriatric care are to maintain health, detect diseases early, and prevent deterioration. Gerontological nurses help the elderly achieve optimal health through various roles including providing care, counseling, teaching, advocating, and rehabilitating.

1. COMMUNITY GERIATRICS

2. DEFINITION
OLD AGE /ELDERLY
Old age or elderly is defined as the individual who is after
65 years of age and showing physical, social and
psychological deterioration of activities and behaviors and
may or may not require assistance by others.
Potter and Perry
AGING
Aging is the progressive physiological change in an
organism that lead decline of biological functions and the
organisms’ ability to adapt to metabolic stresses.
Encyclopedia Britannica.

4. GERIATRICS
• Geriatrics is the branch of medicine dealing
with the physiological and psychological
aspects of aging; and with the diagnosis and
treatment of disease affecting old age.
Potter and Perry.

5. WORLD DEMOGRAPHYCS
• Today world wide there are 600 million
persons aged 60 and above
• The elderly population will get double by
2025,and will reach virtually 2 billion by 2025
• The percentage of population >65 years will
be higher in developed countries but
absolute number will be higher in developing
countries.

6. INDIAN DEMOGRAPHYCS
• In India elderly population is over 82 million
• Indian elderly population is expected to reach
the mark of 177 million, almost double by the
year 2025.

9. FACTORS AFFECTING AGEING
• Hereditary
• Environmental
• Socioeconomic

10. GENERAL PROBLEMS IN OLD AGE
• Economic problem
• sociological problem
• Spiritual changes

11. SYSTEM WISE CHANGES
• Cardiovascular changes
• Respiratory system
• GI system
• Neurological system
• Accidents
• Cancer

12. NEEDS FOR HEALTHY AGING
• Independence with strong and varied interests
• Community participation
• Feeling of satisfaction with present status and
past achievements
• Minimum or no worries about self and others
• Avoidance of criticism of others to provide a
feeling of safety and security
• Help them to enjoy the recreational activities for
elderly

13. NEEDS FOR HEALTHY AGING
• Acceptance and respect in the social group
• Support during retirement
• Avoiding social isolation

14. GERONTOLOGY
Gerontology is the science of all aspects of
aging including the physical and chemical
processes of aging, accidental organic process
of disease and injury that leads to death or
other consequences
Encyclopedia Britannica

15. GERENTOLOGY
The scientific study of the biological,
psychological and sociological phenomena
associated with old age and aging.

16. OBJECTIVES OF GERIATRIC CARE
• Maintenance of health function
• Detection of disease at early stage
• Prevention of deterioration of any existing
problem

17. PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE
GERENTOLOGICAL NURSE PRACTICE
• Aging is natural process common to all living organism
• Various factors influence the ageing process
• Unique data and knowledge are used in applying the
nursing process to older population
• Older adult share similar self care and human needs
with all other human beings
• Gerentological nurse strives to help older adults to
achieve wholeness by reaching optimum level of
physical, psychological ,social and spiritual health.

18. VARIOUS LEVELS OF HEALTH CARE
• Primordial prevention
 pre geriatric care
• Primary prevention
Health education
 exercise
Immunization-influenza and tetanus

19. VARIOUS LEVELS OF HEALTH CARE
• Secondary prevention
Screening for hypertension, diabetes,
periodontal disease, dental carries, Sensory
impairment medication side effect, Colon
rectal cancer, breast cancer, podiatric problem
etc.
Annual medical check up
Early detection and treatment

20. VARIOUS LEVELS OF HEALTH CARE
• Tertiary prevention
 Rehabilitation-physical deficit, cognitive deficit,
functional deficit
 Caretaker support
 Counseling and welfare activities
 Improving quality of life
 Cultural programe
 Old age club
 Home help
 Old age home

60. SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY
There are so many services provided by many agencies such as social
service agencies, religious organizations, social security administration etc.
• Banking services
• Burial services.
• Consumer services.
• Educational services
• Financial services
• Employment services
• Counseling services
• Food, health, housing and transportation service.
• Referral and information service.
• Recreational service.
• Service by mail.
• Volunteer service.

61. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
• Chore service – help to re main at home.
• Day care program.
• Foster- care- service – provide supervision.
• Home delivered meal service.
• Telephone reassurance program.
• Service for partial and intermittent care.
• Service for complete and continuous care.
• Home nursing services.
• Medicare and medic aids

62. GERENTOLOGICAL NURSE
FUNCTIONS
G -Guiding
E –Eliminating
R –Respecting
O –Observing
N – Noticing
T –Teaching
O- Opening channels
L –Listening
G –Generating

63. Continue….
FUNCTIONS
I –Implementing
C – Coordinating
A –Assessing
L- Linking
N –Nurturing
U- Understanding
R- Recognizing
S –Supporting
E –Education and encouraging

64. ROLES OF GERONTOLOGIC NURSES
A gerontologic nurse can use a wide range
of knowledge and skill in delivering services
such as medical, surgical, psychiatric,
community health nursing, pharmacology,
nutrition, sociology and psychology.

65. ROLES OF GERONTOLOGIC NURSES
1. Care giver
2. Counselor
3. Manager
4. Teacher
5. Advocate
6. Rehabilitator
7. Co-coordinator
8. Facilitator

68. Thank you