Introduction to Gerontology and Diversity in Older Adults Flashcards
Aging
It involves physical, psychological, and social life changes.
Subjective age
(feel age or age identity): A person’s perception of his or her age.
Perceived age
Other people’s estimation of someone’s age
Chronologic age
Length of time that has passed since birth
Functional age
Physiological health and psychological well-being, socioeconomic factors, and the ability to function and participate in desirable activities.
Attitudes Toward aging
Aging is a normal process with both losses and gains.
What would be considered a gain?
- Wisdom
- Knowledge
- Experiences
Ageism
- Is a negative attitude toward aging and older people (bias or prejudice related to age).
- Institutional ageism is a systemic problem impacted by:
- Underlying assumptions within a culture and society - (Hidden Biases): In policy and protocols that are unseen, unquestioned, or dismissed as "that's just the way it is."
Effects of Ageism
Aging Anxiety
Age Attribution
Anti-Aging Movement
Effects of Ageism in the Health Care System
- Ageism affects healthcare policies, insurance, and treatments.
- Older adults may get less aggressive treatment for common ailments, which are dismissed as a natural part of aging
- Older adults and health care providers mistakenly attribute symptoms to aging rather than identify and address the contributing factors that are reversible and treatable.
Counteracting Ageism as a Nursing Student
- Reflect on your own practice and become aware of institutional
bias - Have positive interactions with older adults
- Increase your knowledge to address misconception regarding
aging
what is Gerontological Nursing
is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on the care of older adults.
Gerontological nurses work to promote healthy aging, maximize functioning, and improve the quality of life for their patients.
Gerontology
Scientific study of the effects of time on human development
- Is a holistic approach to the study of aging and older adults
Geriatrics
A subspecialty of internal medicine or family practice that focuses on the medical problems of older people.
Why is gerontological nursing important?
- Gerontological nursing is core knowledge for the entire
profession of nursing - The proportion of the population that is considered old is
increasing and care of older persons is the fastest growing
employment segment in the health care industry. - Most nurses care for older people during the course of their
career - The public looks to nurses to be care providers who have the
knowledge and skills to help people age well
A continuum for Cultural Safety
- Cultural Awareness
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Cultural Recognition
- Cultural Competence
Cultural Awareness
Recognizing the values of the client and self
Cultural sensitivity
recognizing cultural differences exist
Cultural Recognition
Recognizing that clients from different cultures may have different customs and behaviors