An aging population is changing the landscape of healthcare. By 2030, more Americans will be elderly than children, with the number of U.S. citizens aged 65 and older reaching nearly 70 million. As life span increases, so does the need for specialized care for gerontology patients. A decline in caregivers and a shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas, will require changes to improve healthcare services for older adults. The focus is improving their quality of life while allowing them to age in their community successfully.
Nursing professionals who earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, like the one offered online by William Paterson University, have the necessary skills to address this growing need for specialized elder care.
What Are the Six Vital Directives to Improve Elder Health Care?
The National Academy of Medicine lists six directions to improve older U.S. citizen care and quality of life for a total of six strategies:
- Develop new approaches to care delivery (like using technology)
- Strengthen the role of public health
- Remediate disparities and inequities
- Allocate resources to palliative and end-of-life care
- Redesign long-term services and supports
- Create an adequately prepared workforce
Nurses are essential in creating a robust, qualified, multidisciplinary workforce focusing on elderly patient needs. All employees (from custodial care and nursing assistants to physicians and administrators) need geriatric competency training. Gertonologic nurses can lead initiatives to improve care from wellness and prevention to end of life. New models of care, financial assistance and caregiver support services are critical for sustainable elder care solutions.
What Are Some High-Impact Elder Care Areas for Nurses?
Since older adults are very different from younger adults, nurses must explore other solutions to effectively impact geriatric patients. Below are just some examples of high-impact approaches:
- Examining drug efficacy and safety in older adults, as drug approvals may not have included older adults or compared non-pharmaceutical approaches
- Promoting the use of evidence-based geriatric care
- Focusing on smoking cessation in older smokers who are often not treated for their addiction
- Exploring options to promote remote or at-home activity
- Improving adverse event/incident reporting and best practices in assisted living, skilled nursing and nursing homes
Prescription drug prices, home or community-based care and paid caregiver leave are just some legislative funding initiatives to improve elder care. In addition, more funding will be needed for home repairs, upgrades and disability requirements for seniors to stay in their homes. Finally, connective technology devices and access to high-speed internet are critical for healthcare reform.
What Leadership Roles Can Nurses Take in Shaping Elder Care?
Nurses can help an aging population and their caregivers navigate the healthcare system. Some nurses will focus on managing physical, mental and emotional well-being. Others will create awareness and connectivity among agencies, organizations and consumers. Nurses will lead systems and individuals that harness technology to improve communication, safety, mobility, mood, workflow, public health and elder care resources. In addition, nurse educators will help consumers interpret data as healthcare continues to move toward a consumer-centered model where people can shop for care.
Graduates of William Paterson University’s program can impact elder care in a number of professional spaces like internal medicine offices, community clinics, rehab and long-term care facilities, specialty clinics, ambulatory care spaces, home care facilities and prisons and jails.
Future nurses will transform elder healthcare with outcome data, quality care indicators and care safety data. Preparation for all these solutions requires nurses to advance their education to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape that focuses on improving gerontologic care quality.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program.
