Older Adult Clinical Evidence paper
For the summer mini-mester you will be responsible for 1-2 (this paper counts as 2 assignments) clinical evidence papers. They will be graded using a rubric and you must earn a 76.5 to be satisfactory. Proper APA style must be used. Questions 1-8 are due Tuesday, May 30th at 12:00pm and questions 9-15 are due Wednesday, June 7th at 9am.
1. Define gerontological nursing.
2. Discuss age related changes in the following body systems:
Cardiovascular-heart, blood vessels, and blood
Respiratory-skeletal changes
Musculoskeletal-bone structure, muscle strength, and joints
Integumentary-skin, hairs, nails, and sweat glands
Gastrointestinal-oral cavity, gag reflex, gastric acid, and intestines
Genitourinary-renal function, micturition in both male and female
Neurological-neurons, brain mass, balance, and sleep

3. Discuss professional attitudes, values, and expectations about physical and mental aging in the provision of patient-centered care for older adults and their families.
4. Identify barriers for older adults in receiving, understanding, and giving information.
5. Describe living environments as it relates to functional, physical, cognitive, psychological, and social needs of older adults.
6. Discuss community resources available to promote functional, physical, and mental wellness older adults. Eg. Meals on wheels.
7. List potential mistreatment (physical, mental, or financial abuse, and/or self-neglect) in older adults.
8. List and discuss geriatric syndromes (bladder control, sleep problems, delirium, dementia, falls, osteoporosis, and weight loss).
9. Describe some variations in the care of the older adults.
10. List the complex interaction of acute and chronic co-morbid physical and mental conditions and associated treatments common to older adults.
11. Discuss models of care that promote safe, quality physical and mental health care for older adults such as PACE, NICHE, Guided Care, Culture Change, and Transitional Care Models.
12. Discuss communication techniques that foster discussion and reflection on the extent to which diversity (among nurses, nurse assistive personnel, therapists, physicians, and patients) has the potential to impact the care of older adults.
13. Discuss strategies to prevent risk and promote quality and safety (e.g. falls, medication mismanagement, pressure ulcers) in the nursing care of older adults with physical and cognitive needs.
14. Identify relevant theories and concepts related to the delivery of patient-centered care for older adults.
15. Discuss reality techniques and validation therapy unless it is contraindicated by the patient diagnosis (Alzheimer’s or Dementia).