This document discusses geriatric care and nursing. It begins by defining geriatrics as focusing on healthcare for elderly patients. Geriatric nursing involves nursing care for older adults in various settings like homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. The document then covers aging processes and changes that commonly occur in body systems with age like sensory, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal changes. It discusses theories of aging and factors affecting aging. Key principles of geriatric care are maintaining health, early disease detection, prevention, and independence. A comprehensive geriatric assessment evaluates areas like health history, physical and mental status, social support, safety, and integrated functioning.

1. GERIATRIC CARE
NURSING
Mrs. Namita Batra Guin
Professor
Deptt. of Community Health Nursing

2. Geriatrics
It is a sub specialty of internal medicine
and family medicine that focuses on
health care of elderly people.
Geriatric Nursing: Nursing care of aged
people given in the home, the hospital
or special institutions like nursing
homes, psychiatric institutions etc.

3. Gerontology
◦ The scientific study of biological,
psychological, and sociological
phenomena associated with old
age and aging

4. AGEING
It is a progressive and generalized impairment of body
functions resulting in loss of adaptive responses to stress
and increasing the risk of age-related diseases.
People more than 60 years are considered elderly.
Old age is not a disease but a normal inevitable
biological phenomenon.

5. THEORIES
OF AGEING
• Somatic mutation of genes
• Genetically determined life-span
• Cross linkage or loss of important cellular
components and DNA
Genetic theories
• Accumulation of toxic metabolites and free
oxygen radicals
• Reduced physiological capacity and wear and tear
of cells of vital organs
• Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins.
Random Damage theories

6. Factors
affecting
ageing
1. Hereditary factors
2. Environmental factors
3. Abiotic factors
4. Biotic factors
5. Socio-economic factors

7. HEALTH
PROBLEMS
OF AGED
1. Physical problems : visual problems, locomotor
system problems etc.
2. Psychological problems: dementia, delirium,
depression, substance abuse anxiety, loss of appetite,
concentration etc.
3. Social problems: abuse, dependency, insecurity and
rehab
4. Economical problems: Lack of source of income.
Economic dependency on children.

8. AGING PROCESS AND
CHANGES

9. SENSORY
SYSTEM
◦ VISION
◦ Decreased visual acuity
◦ Decreased peripheral vision
◦ Decreased dark adaptation
◦ Elevated minimum threshold of light
perception.
◦ Presbyopia
◦ Decreased colour discrimination
◦ Increased sensitivity to glare
◦ Decreased depth sensation
◦ Decreased tears.

10. SENSORY
SYSTEM
◦Assessment findings
◦ Arcus sinilis – a gray or white arc visible
above and below the outer part of the
cornea.
◦ Cataract
◦ Macular degeneration.
◦ Glaucoma
◦ Smaller pupil size
◦ Dry, red eyes.
◦ Vitreous floaters.

11. SENSORY
SYSTEM
◦ HEARING
◦ Hearing loss
◦ Consonants are not heard well.
◦ Hearing capacity decreases with age and
greater in men.
◦ Increase in the sound threshold.
◦ Decreased speech discrimination.
◦ Cerumen impaction
◦ Usual progression from high tone or high
frequency loss to a general loss of both
low and high tones.

12. SENSORY
SYSTEM
◦ Assessment findings
◦ Increased volume of patient’s own voice.
◦ Turning of head towards speaker.
◦ Requesting speaker to repeat
◦ Inappropriate answers
◦ The person may withdraw, demonstrate
short span and become frustrated, angry
and depressed.
◦ Lack of response to a loud noise.

13. SENSORY SYSTEM
◦ SMELL
◦ Changes in smell due to nasal sinus disease preventing odours from
reaching smell receptors.
◦ Decreased discrimination.
◦ Decreased more in men
◦ ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦ Inability to notice unpleasant odours.
◦ Decreased appetite.

14. SENSORY SYSTEM
◦ TASTE
◦ Taste buds decreases with age specially in men.
◦ Taste buds lost from from the front to the back
◦ ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦ Complaints of food has no taste.
◦ Excessive use of sugar and salt.
◦ Inability to identify the foods.
◦ Decrease in appetite and weight loss.
◦ Decreased pleasure from food

15. NERVOUS
SYSTEM
Gradual loss in the number of neurons with age
and no change in the neurotransmitter levels.
Brain tissue atrophy
Decreased muscle tone, motor speed and nerve
conduction velocity.
Decrease in gait speed, decreased step length,
stride length and arm swing.

16. NERVOUS SYSTEM
◦ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦ Decreased position and vibrant sense.
◦ Diminished reflexes, possible absent ankle jerks.
◦ Complaints of falls and impaired balance
◦ Wide based gait with decreased arm swing

17. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
◦ Valves of heart become thick and rigid, as a result of sclerosis
and fibrosis.
◦ Blood vessels become thick and rigid, resulting in elevated
blood pressure.
◦ Maximum heart rate and aerobic capacity decreased with
age.
◦ Decline in maximum oxygen consumption.
◦ Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity.

18. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
◦ ASSSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦ Pre hypertension
◦ Prolonged tachycardia may occur following a stressful
event.
◦ Hypertension

19. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
◦ Weakening of intercostal muscles and elastic recoil of the chest
wall diminishes.
◦ Residual volume and functional residual capacity increase.
◦ Partial pressure of oxygen decreases.
◦ Decrease in mucous transport or ciliary system, therefore reduced
clearance of mucus and foreign bodies.

20. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
◦ ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦Prolonged cough, inability to raise secretions.
◦Increased frequency of respiratory infections.

21. GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
◦ Females
◦Thinning of vaginal walls.
◦Narrowing of vagina in size and loss of elasticity
◦Decreased vaginal secretions resulting in vaginal dryness,
itching and decreased acidity.
◦Involution of uterus and ovaries.
◦Decreased pubococcygeal muscle tone resulting in
relaxed vagina and perineum.

22. GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
◦ Males
◦Penis and testes decreases in size and levels of
androgens diminishes.
◦Erectile dysfunction.

23. GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
◦ ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦Vaginal dryness, painful intercourse.
◦Atrophic vaginitis
◦Urinary incontinence, BPH and prostatic cancer.

24. MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
◦Declining muscle mass
◦Decreased bone density, more in women
◦Decreased thickness and resiliency of cartilage.
◦Bone resorption exceeds bone formation resulting in decline
of bone density.
◦Injuries to cartilage.

25. MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
◦ ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦Muscle atrophy
◦Increased incidence of fractures
◦Joint stiffness
◦Decreased bone density
◦Alteration in posture, ability to transfer and gait
◦Complaint of dizziness

26. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
◦Thinning of three layers of skin and decreased ability
to function as barrier.
◦Fewer melanocytes and decreased tanning.
◦Less efficient thermoregulation because of fewer
sweat glands.
◦Drier skin because of decreased number of sebaceous
glands.

27. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
◦ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦Reduced sensory output and decreased
elasticity.
◦More prone to heat stress.
◦Hypothermia.

28. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
◦Decreased secretion of trophic hormones from pituitary glands.
◦Blunted growth hormone release during the times of stress.
◦Elevated vasopressin and exaggerated response to osmotic
challenge
◦Elevated levels of FSH and LH because of reduced end organ
response.
◦Normal insulin secretion at rest and an age related decrease in
secretion in response to glucose overload.

29. HEMATOPOETIC SYSTEM
◦Bone marrow cellularity is decreased during older life.
◦Declining marrow activity.

30. IMMUNOGENIC SYSTEM
◦The function of T-lymphocytes declines with age due to
involution and atrophy of thymus gland.
◦Decreased T cell helper activity and increased T cell
suppressor activity.
◦Declined b cell function as a result of T cell changes.

31. IMMUNOGENIC SYSTEM
◦ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
◦More frequent infections.
◦Increased incidence of many types of cancers.

32. GERIATRIC GIANTS (4 Is)
Immobility
Instability
(Falls)
Incontinence
Intellectual
impairment

33. GERIATRIC
CARE
NEED
◦ Elderly population will keep on rising due to
advancing medical technology.
◦ Disease present atypically and at an earlier
stage
◦ Often multiorgan system involvement.
◦ Worsening of pre-existing disease are
frequent.
◦ Burden over health care system
◦ Burden over the nation’s economy.

34. Objectives of
geriatric care
Maintenance of health
function
Detection of diseases at early
stages.
Prevention and deterioration
of any existing problems.

35. General
Principles of
geriatric care
Provide Provide diversion and occupational therapy.
Make Make elderly stay in home healthy.
Stimulate
Stimulate mental equity and sensory input and physical activity to
uplift their self esteem, self concept and confidence.
Assist Assist elderly to achieve emotional stability.
Encourage
Encourage independence and encourage them to make their choices
and take decisions.
Be
Be patient, kind and sympathetic. Communicate effectively,
demonstrate respect.
Consider Consider individuality. Consult his preference.

36. General
Principles of
geriatric care
Ensure Ensure adequate nutrition.
Protect Protect from injuries, falls and accidents etc.
Encourage
Encourage them maintain body hygiene, thus regulate body
temperature.
Make
Make them comfortable by providing comfortable bed, bed linen
etc.. Keep bed dry, smooth and unwrinkled.
Encourage
Encourage independence and encourage them to make their choices
and take decisions.
Handle Handle them gently
Maintain Maintain privacy

37. General
Principles of
geriatric care
Observe
Observe any psychophysical changes which alter their body image
and behaviour..
Examine Have them physically examined annually and whenever needed
Caution Caution elderly about the use of drugs.
Help Help elderly to establish good sleep patterns
Encourage
Encourage them to do active rage of motion exercises. Maintain
body alignment and posture. Encourage mobility.
Facilitate
Facilitate elimination. Encourage them to maintain external genitalia
hygiene.

38. Gerontological nursing practice
◦ Ageing is a natural process common to all living
organisms.
◦ Various factors influence aging process.
◦ Unique data and knowledge are used in applying the
nursing the nursing process to older population.
◦ Older adults share similar self care and human needs
with all other human beings.
◦ Gerontological nursing strives to help older adults
achieve the wholeness by reaching optimum levels of
physical, psychological, social and spiritual health.

39. GERIATRIC HEALTH
ASSESSMENT
◦ HEALTH HISTORY
◦ PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
◦ COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
◦ FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT
◦ MENTAL STATUS ASSESSMENT
◦ ASSESSMENT OF SOCIAL SUPPORT
◦ ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT
◦ INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

40. COMPREHENSIVE
ASSESSMENT
F – FLUIDS
A – Aeration
N – Nutrition
C – Communication
A – Activity
P – Pain
E – Elimination
S - Socialization and social skills

41. FUNCTIONAL
ASSESSMENT
◦ MENTAL STATUS ASSESSMET
◦ Cognitive measures
◦ Mini mental status examination
◦ Clock drawing test
◦ The Mini- Cog
◦ Mood measures
◦ Geriatric depression scale

42. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
◦Social resources
◦Economic resources
◦Mental health
◦Physical health
◦Activities of daily living

43. PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE IN ELDERLY
◦The role of prevention in geriatrics is to delay the onset of
age-related decompensatory problems of body functions
◦It includes-
◦Primary prevention
◦Secondary prevention
◦Tertiary prevention

44. Primary Prevention
◦Control of B.P., Weight and diabetes
◦Avoid smoking and alcohol
◦Regular and moderate physical exercise.
◦Avoidance of drug abuse and self medication
◦Well balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, low
in saturated fats, refined sugars and fast foods.
◦Cultivation of interest in reading, listening to music and
other recreational activities.
◦Avoid plenty of food intake.

45. Primary Prevention
◦Periodical screening for blood pressure, vision and
screening
◦Plan for future, financial security.
◦Yoga exercises and meditation
◦Immunization against influenza, pneumonia, tetanus and
hepatitis B.
◦ Injury prevention- removal of obstacles, railing in bathroom, low level switches, easy and safe access to
water

46. Secondary Prevention
◦ Screening
◦Cancers
◦Diabetes
◦Dental problems.
◦Drug adverse effects
◦Infections
◦Nutritional deficiencies
◦Early detection and treatment of diseases and disability

47. Tertiary Prevention
◦Cataract surgery, provision of spectacles
◦Hearing aids, artificial limbs, prosthesis
◦Physiotherapy, vocational therapy, psychological and
social therapy depending upon functional capacity.
◦Deaddiction counselling
◦Establishment of old age homes and clubs.
◦Establishment of geriatric clinics.

48. Interventions in rehabilitation
◦Hard interventions
◦ Drugs
◦ Physiotherapy
◦ Occupational therapy
◦ Aids and adaptation
◦ Speech and language therapists
◦Soft interventions
◦ Advice
◦ Education
◦ Counseling
◦ Encouragement
◦ Listening

49. Supporting the caregiver
◦Social attitude
◦Physician’s support
◦Organization of day care centers.
◦Hospitalization in case of chronic illness
◦Counselling the caregiver
◦Training the caregiver

50. Responsibilities of Community Health
Nurse
◦Health Assessment
◦Arranging and promoting nutrition
◦Promoting activity and exercise
◦Preventing care of elderly
◦Providing psychological support

51. Roles of Community Health Nurse
◦Researcher
◦Leader
◦Educator
◦Advocate
◦Administrator
◦Primary health care provider

52. BENEFITS TO OLD AGE PEOPLE IN INDIA

53. LAWS IN INDIA TO PROTECT THE OLD
PEOPLE
◦Section 125(1) (d)- If any person having sufficient
means neglects or refuses to maintain his father or
mother, unable to maintain himself or herself, a
Magistrate of first class may, upon proof of such
neglect or refusal, order such person to make monthly
allowances for maintenance of his wife or mother, at
such monthly rate not exceeding Rs 500 in the whole,
as such Magistrate thinks fit, and to pay the same to
such person as the Magistrate may from time to time
direct.

54. LAWS IN INDIA TO PROTECT THE OLD
PEOPLE
◦Section 125(3) - If any person so ordered fails without
sufficient cause to comply with the order, any such
Magistrate may, for every breach of the order, issue a
warrant for levying the amount due in the manner
provided for levying fines, and may sentence such
person, for the whole or any part of each month’s
allowance remaining unpaid after the execution of the
warrant, to imprisonment for a term which may extend
to one month or until payment if sooner made

55. INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OLD AGE
PENSION SCHEME
◦ Objective: To disburse pension to the old age people.
◦ Assistance provided: A monthly pension of Rs 600 - Rs 1000
depending upon the state share of the pension.
◦ Beneficiary: Beyond 65 years of age belonging to BPL. And
60 years above for persons affected by leprosy, blindness,
paralysis of both limbs and insanity.

56. National Policy on older persons
◦ Formed in January 1999 under the ministry of
social justice and empowerment.
◦The goal of national policy is the well being of
older persons.

57. National Policy on senior citizens 2011
◦ Formed in January 2011
◦This policy addresses issues concerning senior citizens
living in urban and rural areas, special needs of the
older people.
◦AIM: Promote the concept of “Ageing in Place” or
ageing in own home, housing, income security and
homecare services, old age pension and access to
healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes
and services to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age.

58. ANNAPURNA SCHEME
◦ The Annapurna Scheme aims at providing food
security to meet the requirement of those Senior
Citizens who though eligible have remained
uncovered under the National Old Age Pension
Scheme (NOAPS).
◦Under the Annapurna Scheme, 10 kg of food
grains per month are to be provided free of cost'
to the Beneficiary.

59. NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
HEALTHCARE OF THE ELDERLY
(NPHCE)
◦Launched in 2010.
◦Objectives:
◦ To provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term,
comprehensive and dedicated care services to an Ageing
population;
◦ Creating a new “architecture” for Ageing;
◦ To build a framework to create an enabling environment for “a
Society for all Ages”;
◦ To promote the concept of Active and Healthy Ageing;

60. NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
HEALTHCARE OF THE ELDERLY
(NPHCE)
◦ At sub-center level, Domiciliary visits for attention and care to home bound /
bedridden elderly persons and provide training to the family care providers in
looking after the disabled elderly persons.
◦ At PHC level, Conducting a routine health assessment of the elderly persons
based on simple clinical examination relating to eye, BP
, blood sugar, etc.
◦ At CHC level, Geriatric Clinic for the elderly persons twice a week. Rehabilitation
Unit for physiotherapy and counselling

61. NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
HEALTHCARE OF THE ELDERLY
(NPHCE)
◦ At District Hospital, Geriatric Clinic for regular dedicated OPD services to
the Elderly. Ten-bedded Geriatric Ward for in-patient care of the Elderly
◦ Geriatric Regional center, 30-bedded Geriatric Ward for in-patient care and
dedicated beds for the elderly patients in the various specialties viz.
Surgery, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, Neurology etc.
◦ There are 8 regional geriatric centers in India.

62. MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
◦Concessions to senior citizens
◦As per Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC), 40% concession for male
(60 years and above) and 50% for female
senior citizens (above 58 years)is granted in
train fares of all classes.

63. MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
◦Concessions to senior citizens
◦As per Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC), 40% concession for male
(60 years and above) and 50% for female
senior citizens (above 58 years)is granted in
train fares of all classes.

64. MINISTRY OF FINANCE
◦ Exemption limit Rs. 3,00,000 for senior citizens above 60 years
but less than 80 years.
◦ Exemption limit Rs. 5,00,000 for senior citizens above 80 years.
◦ Exemption from e-filing.
◦ Exemption from payment of advance tax
◦ Income tax rebate for Medical Treatment for Specified Diseases
for Senior Citizens.
◦ Income tax rebate for Medical Insurance Premium for Senior
Citizens.
◦ Higher rates of interest on saving schemes of senior citizens.

65. MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
◦The Senior Citizens Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) as
top up over existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
(RSBY) scheme is being implemented for senior citizens
aged 60 years and above.
◦SCHIS provides enhanced coverage of Rs. 30,000 per
senior citizen in the family eligible for coverage under
RSBY).

66. HELPAGE INDIA
◦It is a secular, non-profit largest involuntary
organization set up in 1978.
◦The organization works for the cause and care of
disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality
of life.
◦It recently became the first and only Indian
organization to be honoured with the ‘UN Population
Award 2020’ for its exemplary work in the field of
ageing, relief efforts work during the Covid 19
pandemic

67. HELPAGE INDIA
◦ The organization addresses elder needs and advocating for their
rights, such as their right to Universal Pension, quality Healthcare,
action against Elder Abuse and many more at a national, state and
societal level with Central and State governments.
◦ The programs are focused on direct interventions in the areas
of Healthcare (mobile healthcare units, cataract
surgeries), Agecare (helplines, senior citizen care homes and day
care centres, physiotherapy), Livelihoods (elder-self-help groups;
linkages with government schemes), Disaster Response (e.g. covid19
relief response), as well as Advocacy and Awareness on rights and
policies relating to elders.

68. International Day of Older persons
◦The 1st October is observed every year as the International
Day of Older Persons internationally. Being the nodal
Ministry for the welfare of senior citizens, Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment has been celebrating the occasion
every year by organizing a series of programmes and
felicitating the distinguished senior citizens with
Vayoshrestha Samman.
◦The main idea behind these celebrations is to reiterate the
government's commitment towards welfare of the elderly
and to ensure that the services rendered by the elderly get
its due recognition in the society.