Mastering Geriatric Care

Assessing older adults, managing disorders and complications, avoiding drug dangers, and detecting abuse and neglect.

This book serves as a comprehensive reference for the basic principles of caring for older adults, directly corresponding to the key competencies for medical student and residents. These competencies are covered in 10 sections, each with chapters that target the skills and knowledge necessary for achieving competency. Each of the 45 chapters follow a consistent format for ease of use, beginning with an introduction to the associated competency and concluding with the most salient points for mastery. Chapters also includes brief cases to provide context to the clinical reasoning behind the competency, strengthening the core understanding necessary to physicians of the future. Written by expert educators and clinicians in geriatric medicine, Geriatric Practice is key resource for students in geriatric medicine, family and internal medicine, specialties, hospice and nursing home training, and all clinicians studying to work with aging patients.

Handbook of Geriatric Care Management, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive and practical guide for care managers that addresses the multiple needs of aging adults and their families. An ideal teaching tool, it guides students and professionals along the journey of becoming a successful care manager. New to this edition are two new chapters on working with older veterans and helping clients with depression. Completely updated and revised, the Fourth Edition provides updated ethics and standards, a focus on credentialing and certification, numerous case studies, sample forms and letters, and tips for building and growing a care manager business.

As the Baby Boomers age, concerns over healthcare systems' abilities to accommodate geriatric patients grow increasingly challenging. This is especially true with the population deemed to be “the oldest of the old,” specifically those over the age of 85. Unlike any other time in history, this demographic is the fastest growing segment of most developed countries. In the United States the oldest old is projected to double from 4.3 million to 9.6 million by 2030. The increased life expectancy of the population since the early 1900s has been built on the improvement of living conditions, diet, public health and advancement in medical care. With this we have seen a steady decline in the age-specific prevalence of vascular and heart diseases, stroke and even dementia. Older persons are healthier today than their counterparts decades ago. More importantly than in any other age group, the care of the oldest old must be individualized; management decisions should be made taking into consideration the older persons’ expressed wishes, quality of life, function and mental capacity. The inevitable consequence is that there will be an increase in the prevalence of older persons with chronic diseases, multiple co-existing pathologies and neuro-degenerative diseases. The oldest of the aging population are often excluded from drug trials and their treatments are largely based on findings extrapolated from that of the younger old. Furthermore, among the oldest old, physiologically they are more diverse than other segments of the population. Their demographic characteristics are unparalleled and different compared to that of the younger old. Several studies have drawn attention to the differing attitudes among health professionals towards elderly people and many show prejudice because they are old. As a result, the use of age as a criteria in determining the appropriateness of treatment is of very limited validity, yet there are limited resources that guide physicians through these challenges. This book creates a greater awareness of these challenges and offers practical guidelines for working within the infrastructures vital to this demographic. This book is designed for geriatricians, primary care physicians, junior medical officers, specialty geriatrics nurses, and gerontologists. It is divided into 3 sections: General Considerations, Chronic diseases and Geriatric Syndromes. Each chapter provides a summary of important and essential information under the heading of Key Points. Case studies are included in some of the chapters to highlight the principles of management.

As medical students, we are often exposed to a wide range of specialties and subspecialties within the field of medicine. One area that is of increasing importance and relevance is geriatric medicine, particularly for those interested in internal medicine. The aging population is growing rapidly, and with it comes a unique set of healthcare needs that require specialized attention and care. Geriatric medicine focuses on the health and well-being of older adults, typically those aged 65 and above. It encompasses a holistic approach to managing the complex medical, social, and psychological issues that often accompany aging. As students pursuing a career in internal medicine, understanding the importance of geriatric medicine is essential, as it will allow us to provide the best possible care to our elderly patients. One of the key reasons why geriatric medicine is crucial is the prevalence of chronic diseases among older adults. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis are common in this population and can have significant impacts on their quality of life. By developing expertise in geriatric medicine, we can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage these conditions effectively, ensuring optimal outcomes for our patients. Another critical aspect of geriatric medicine is the recognition and management of geriatric syndromes. These syndromes, which include falls, delirium, incontinence, and functional decline, are unique to older adults and require a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. By specializing in geriatric medicine, we can learn how to identify and address these syndromes, ultimately improving the overall health and well-being of our elderly patients. Furthermore, geriatric medicine emphasizes a person-centered approach to care. Older adults often have complex medical histories, multiple comorbidities, and unique social circumstances. By learning to take a comprehensive geriatric assessment, we can gain a better understanding of our patients' needs, preferences, and goals. This approach allows us to tailor our treatment plans accordingly, promoting patient autonomy and improving overall patient satisfaction. Lastly, geriatric medicine offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of older adults. Many older individuals face challenges such as loneliness, isolation, and the loss of loved ones. By providing compassionate care and addressing their unique needs, we can help improve their quality of life and overall well-being.

This textbook presents hands-on training material for medical students. The style reflects the need for practice-based teaching with a modern edge in daily clinical routine; accordingly, it also employs online material and pocket cards. Each chapter begins with specific learning objectives, which are cross-referenced with the European curriculum for undergraduate medical education released by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) together with the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS), as well as the minimum geriatric competences for medical students established by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). World-renowned European experts in practicing and teaching the interdisciplinary field of Geriatrics contributed to this work, with the aim of offering the new generation of health professionals a global perspective on one of the greatest public health challenges of our time: the management of the steadily increasing number of older, multimorbid, and vulnerable persons. The major strength of this book – published under the auspices of the EUGMS – is its pragmatic, goal-oriented approach, which makes it suitable for bedside learning and patient-centered medicine; further, all of the chapters are firmly based on the pillars of the ageing process in all of its biological aspects, helping readers understand the pathophysiology of and rationale behind interventions for the main geriatric syndromes and disorders.

Fourth Edition Named a 2013 Doody's Core Title! Praise for the Fourth Edition: The evidence-based protocols are designed as a primary reference and are useful, substantive, and timely...The broader contributions of useful format and succinct review of the evidence make it likely that this text will continue to be the leading resource in nursing education and practice." --The Gerontologist As a gerontological clinical educator/research nurse, I will often use this as a reference. The format and the content are good, and the explanations of how to best use the evidence simplify the process of sifting through mountains of information to figure the best practice. Score: 97, 5 Stars. --Doody's The new fifth edition of one of the premier references for geriatric nurses in hospital, long-term, and community settings, delivers current guidelines, real-life case studies, and evidence-based protocols developed by master educators and practitioners. With a focus on improving quality of care, cost-effectiveness, and outcome, the fifth edition is updated to provide the most current information about care of common clinical conditions and issues in older adults. Several new expert contributors present current guidelines about hip fractures, frailty, perioperative and postoperative care, palliative care, and senior-friendly emergency departments. Additionally, chapters have been reorganized to enhance logical flow of content and easy information retrieval. Protocols are organized in a consistent format and include an overview, evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies, and an illustrative case study with discussion. Additionally, protocols are embedded within chapter text, providing the context and detailed evidence for each. Chapter objectives, annotated references, and evidence rating for each protocol are provided along with resources for additional study. New to the Fifth Edition: Reorganized to enhance logical flow of information and ease of use Updated and revised Includes new contributions from expert educators and practitioners Provides new chapters on perioperative and postoperative care, general surgical care, care of hip fracture, palliative care, and the senior-friendly emergency department Key Features: Delivers evidence-based, current guidelines and protocols for care of common clinical conditions in the elderly Illustrates application of clinical protocols to real-life practice through case studies and discussion Edited by nationally known geriatric leaders who are endorsed by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing Written for nursing students, nurse leaders, and practitioners at all levels, including those in specialty roles

Trainees in subspecialty of geriatric psychiatry and general psychiatry need to master core competencies in geriatric psychiatry in order to practice. This book is designed to provide short-answer question-based learning centering around the core curriculum topics in geriatric psychiatry and is primarily ideal not only for medical students, residents, and fellows, but also for psychiatrists preparing for re-certification. This book features approximately 300 short-answer questions on geriatric psychiatry topics, each comprising the stem of a brief clinical scenario or concise question with expected number of answers. The book also features detailed teaching notes, graphics, and the respective source references. The format is consistently structured from chapter to chapter, practical and concise, and designed to enhance the reader’s diagnostic and management ability and clinical understanding. Each answer includes a concise discussion, pertinent illustrations, and source references. This text is a valuable reference and teaching tool that provides an opportunity for learning across a rapidly growing field. The material covered matches the existing postgraduate curricula in geriatric psychiatry and helps prepare candidates for their specialty and subspecialty certification examinations. The cases map well to both the American Geriatric Psychiatry Association and Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry as well as other international postgraduate curricula. The book covers main topics within geriatric psychiatry, some such as substance use disorders and sexuality and sexual dysfunction in later life. As the Baby Boomers age, this reference will continue to be a valuable staple in geriatric workforce training. Geriatric Psychiatry Study Guide is the ultimate resource for students, residents, fellows, psychiatrists, psychologists, family practitioners, nurses, social workers, and all clinicians rising to the challenges of the mental health segment of the geriatric workforce.

If you are caring for an aging parent, spouse, or other loved one, you are not alone. Statistics show that nearly 25 percent of all households in the United States are providing care for an elderly person. Although you may be willing to help, you may find the task comes with unexpected challenges. Matters you never thought about are now your responsibility—healthcare, housing, financial and legal matters, as well as day-to-day issues involving nutrition, medications, and personal safety. You may find yourself worried, overworked, and exhausted. Over the past forty-five years, Doctor Marion Somers, a leading geriatric specialist, has helped thousands of individuals and their families with these matters. In Elder Care Made Easier, she draws from those decades of experience to offer 10 practical steps to help you navigate your caregiver's journey: &• Communicate openly &• Put safety first &• Improve the lifestyle &• Make life easier with adapted equipment &• Manage financial issues &• Take care of legal matters &• Find mobility in disability &• Find the right housing &• Hire help when it's needed &• Learn to let go Doctor Marion Will Save You Time, Money, and Heartache

As the first of the nation's 78 million baby boomers begin reaching age 65 in 2011, they will face a health care workforce that is too small and woefully unprepared to meet their specific health needs. Retooling for an Aging America calls for bold initiatives starting immediately to train all health care providers in the basics of geriatric care and to prepare family members and other informal caregivers, who currently receive little or no training in how to tend to their aging loved ones. The book also recommends that Medicare, Medicaid, and other health plans pay higher rates to boost recruitment and retention of geriatric specialists and care aides. Educators and health professional groups can use Retooling for an Aging America to institute or increase formal education and training in geriatrics. Consumer groups can use the book to advocate for improving the care for older adults. Health care professional and occupational groups can use it to improve the quality of health care jobs.