Chapter 10: Continuum of Care in Gerontological Nursing
Continuum of Care in Gerontological Nursing
Learning Objectives
- Describe the continuum of services available to older adults.
- Understand various service options that cater to the elderly population.
- Discuss factors influencing service selection for older adults.
- Identify factors like health needs, personal preferences, and available resources.
- Describe various practice settings for gerontological nurses.
- Explore different environments where gerontological nurses work, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
- List major functions of gerontological nurses.
- Understand the responsibilities including care coordination, health education, and support.
Key Terms to Know
- Adult Day Services:
- Centers providing health and social services for a part of the day, offering respite to caregivers.
- Assisted Living:
- Residential care that does not require nursing home services but helps with personal care needs.
- Case Management:
- Services offered by RNs or social workers to assess and coordinate care for individuals.
- Continuing Care Retirement Community:
- Facilities allowing older adults to stay as their care needs change, usually for a fee.
- Hospice Care:
- Provides support and palliative care for dying individuals and their families.
- Nursing Home:
- Provides 24-hour supervision and nursing care for those unable to remain at home.
- Respite Care:
- Short-term care to support caregivers, giving them relief from responsibilities.
Effects of an Aging Population
- Growing Number of Older Adults:
- Increasing demand on health care resources and services.
- Users of Health Care Services:
- Older adults are significant consumers of various health care services.
Services in the Continuum of Care for Older Adults
- Types of Services:
- Supportive and Preventive Services: Aim to maintain independence.
- Partial and Intermittent Care Services: For individuals needing occasional help.
- Complete and Continuous Care Services: For those requiring regular 24-hour supervision.
- Community-Based Services: Such as home health care and adult day programs.
- Institution-Based Services: Including nursing homes and hospitals.
- Complementary and Alternative Services: Nonconventional therapies sought by the elderly.
Supportive and Preventive Services
- Goal:
- Maintain independence and self-care capacity.
- Services Include:
- Financial services, employment, nutrition, housing, healthcare, social support, volunteering, education, counseling, legal, and transportation services.
Partial and Intermittent Care Services
- Definition:
- Assistance for those with partial limitations in self-care.
- Examples:
- Home-delivered meals, home health care, adult day services, respite care.
Complete and Continuous Services
- Definition:
- Services provided for individuals needing constant supervision, such as nursing homes and hospital care.
Complementary and Alternative Services
- Awareness and Advocacy:
- Growing interest in new therapies, with emphasis on informed choices regarding benefits and risks.
Matching Services to Needs
- Diversity of Needs:
- The aging population has varied and changing service requirements.
- Personalized Care:
- Services must adapt to the unique needs of older adults, considering all physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.
Settings and Roles for Gerontological Nurses
- Opportunities:
- Diverse settings including hospitals, long-term care, and community-based services.
- Roles:
- Vary by setting, encompassing multiple functions tailored to geriatric care.
Sample Questions
- Q1: The continuum of care includes preventive services, partial and intermittent care services, and complete and continuous care services. True/False
- Q2: Preventive services for older adults do not include suggestion of day treatment programs. True/False
- Q3: Adult day care programs are increasing in community-based long-term care. True/False
- Q4: Additional preparation is required for nurses who want to implement complementary therapies. True/False
- Q5: Gerontological nursing is limited to older adult care facilities. True/False
Conclusion
- Career Scope:
- Gerontological nursing offers diverse opportunities, not confined to traditional facilities, reflecting the expanding needs of the older adult population in various care settings.