Eliopoulos10e_PowerPoint Presentations_ Chapter 10 (2)

Chapter 10: Continuum of Care in Gerontological Nursing

Chapter Learning Objectives

  • Outline of Key Goals

    • Describe the continuum of services available for older adults.

    • Discuss factors influencing service selection for older adults.

    • Describe various practice settings for gerontological nurses.

    • List major functions of gerontological nurses.

Terms to Know

Adult Day Services

  • Centers that provide health and social services for individuals with moderate physical or mental disabilities, offering respite for caregivers.

Assisted Living

  • Residential care for individuals who need assistance but do not require nursing home services. Includes various facility types like residential care facilities, personal care, and boarding homes.

Case Management

  • Services delivered by registered nurses or social workers to assess individual needs, identify services, and coordinate care.

Continuing Care Retirement Community

  • A long-term care option allowing older adults to stay in the same place as their care needs evolve, typically for a monthly fee and an entry fee.

Hospice

  • Services providing support and palliative care for terminally ill individuals and their families.

Nursing Home

  • A facility providing 24-hour supervision and nursing care for those unable to remain in community settings.

Respite

  • Short-term care services designed to relieve caregivers temporarily.

Introduction

  • Population Trends

    • Increase in older adult population leading to significant societal changes.

    • Older adults are major users of health care services.

    • All nurses will be involved in caring for older adults across various settings.

Services in the Continuum of Care for Older Adults

  • Types of Services

    • Supportive and preventive services

    • Partial and intermittent care services

    • Complete and continuous care services

    • Community-based services

    • Institution-based services

    • Complementary and alternative services

Supportive and Preventive Services

Goal

  • To maintain independence and self-care capacity.

Functions

  • Identify service needs, referral to appropriate services, and coordination of care.

Types of Services Include:

  • Financial services

  • Employment

  • Nutrition

  • Housing

  • Health care

  • Social support and activities

  • Volunteer work

  • Education

  • Counseling

  • Legal and tax services

  • Transportation

  • Personal Emergency Response System

  • Shopping at home

Partial and Intermittent Care Services

  • Definition

    • Assistance provided for partial limitations in self-care or therapeutic demands.

  • Purpose

    • To reduce risks of new or worsening conditions.

  • Providers

    • Available through community networks and institutions.

Types Include:

  • Assistance with chores

  • Home-delivered meals

  • Home monitoring

  • Telephone reassurance

  • Home health care

  • Foster care and group homes

  • Adult day services

  • Day treatment and hospital programs

  • Assisted living

  • Respite care

  • Health ministry and parish nurse programs

  • Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

  • Hospice services

Complete and Continuous Services

  • Characteristics

    • Provision of 24-hour supervision for individuals requiring continuous care.

  • Examples

    • Hospital care

    • Nursing homes

Complementary and Alternative Services

  • Trends

    • Increased interest among older adults in alternative therapies.

  • Advocacy

    • Ensures older adults have the right to informed choices in therapy options, including education on benefits, risks, and assistance in finding reputable providers.

Matching Services to Needs

  • Challenges

    • Diverse and fluctuating needs of the aging population must be considered.

Considerations When Matching Services to Needs

  • Services need to address:

    • Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors.

    • Unique and changing requirements of the individual.

    • Flexibility in care.

    • Tailored services according to individual needs.

Settings and Roles for Gerontological Nurses

  • Opportunities

    • Gerontological nurses work in a variety of settings with diverse roles and responsibilities.

  • Future Trends

    • Increasing demand for gerontological nursing expertise across various health care settings.

Review Questions

  • Question 1: True or False? The continuum of care includes preventive services, partial and intermittent care services, and complete and continuous care services.

    • Answer: True. Includes both community-based and institution-based services.

  • Question 2: Preventive services support individuals except:

    • Answer: C. Suggestion of day treatment programs, as this is a partial service.

  • Question 3: True or False? Adult day care programs are a growing component of community-based long-term care.

    • Answer: True. Over 3,500 centers currently provide adult day care in the U.S.

  • Question 4: True or False? Additional preparation is required for nurses implementing complementary therapies.

    • Answer: True. Extra training enhances nurses' ability to provide these therapies.

  • Question 5: True or False? Opportunities for gerontological nurses are limited to older adult facilities.

    • Answer: False. Opportunities exist in various settings including community and institution-based services.