STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Apply geriatric concepts to safe, quality, patient-centered nursing care considering research, evidence, and patient preferences as the basis for the care of older adults.

 2. Use critical thinking and clinical judgment to make patient-centered care decisions when caring for older adults.

 3. Relate performance improvement/quality improvement measures to improved care for older adults.

 4. Apply information about the Practical Nurse's role in collaboration with healthcare team members, the patient, and the patient's support persons when planning effective patient care when caring for older adults.

 5. Discuss the use of information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision of patient care.

 6. Apply geriatric nursing concepts to manage care for older adults through the process of planning, organizing, and directing.

 7. Applies professional, legal, and ethical guidelines to the care of older adults, within the scope of practice for the Practical Nurse.

 8. Apply concepts of a culture of caring to provide support, compassion, and culturally-competent, holistic care to older adults.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Practice concepts related to gerontology including:

 a. Theories of aging

 b. Principles of gerontology

 c. The aging process

 d. Physiological, developmental, and psychosocial changes of aging

 e. Restorative care interventions

 f. Socioeconomic and ethno-cultural factors

 g. Legal and ethical issues

 h. Cognitive alterations

 i. Medication issues

 j. Safety and comfort

 k. Nutritional issues

 l. Identifying/reporting elder abuse.

 

 

 II. Major program concepts as they apply to the care for and prevention of health problems for aging adults, including:

 a. Safe, quality, patient-centered care

 b. Research and evidence-based care

 c. Culture of caring

 d. Critical thinking and clinical judgment

 e. Performance improvement/quality improvement

 f. Collaboration/teamwork

 g. Information technology/ patient technology

 h. The role and scope of practice for Practical Nurses as related to care of the geriatric patient.

 

 III. Practice concepts of practical nursing as they apply to the care for and prevention of health problems for aging adults, including:

 a. Teaching and learning

 b. Identification of community resources

 c. Health maintenance and promotion

 d. Pain management

 e. Nursing process

 f. Communication techniques.

 

 IV. Care related to members of the older adult’s family.