Rehabilitation Nursing in the Elderly By: Loren Incandela Reviewed by: Cathy Frank, Candice Sullivan
Rehabilitation Nursing Goal – Provide assistance to patients/clients with diverse needs, including disability & chronic disease Patient care is aimed at allowing individuals to maintain & achieve optimal function in areas related to self-care and the promotion of physical, psychological, and social wellness Variety of rehabilitation environments: acute, inpatient, subacute, outpatient, hospital based, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, nursing facilities Gerontological Rehabilitation Nursing – specialty area addressing the unique needs of elderly clients (Staff Nurse Special Interest Group of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses), (Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Gerontology Special Interest Group)
Responsibilities Consider unique needs & age-related changes specific to the geriatric population Maintain the scope & standards of rehabilitation nursing practice Address concomitant needs using a holistic approach to meeting geriatric client needs (Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Gerontology Special Interest Group)
Roles of the Gerontological Rehabilitation Nurse Advocate – protect the rights of your clients Clinical Practitioner – assessing, planning, treating, and evaluating the specialized needs of older adults while utilizing clinical expertise Educator – Promote health & wellness, encourage active lifestyle, prevent disability & secondary impairments Manager – accreditation, regulatory statutes for elder care, quality care & assurance Consultant – integral part of healthcare team, development of patient programs, patient management through interactions with other disciplines Researcher – continuing education, participate in research projects (Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Gerontology Special Interest Group)
References 1) Staff Nurse Special Interest Group of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. (n.d.). The rehabilitation staff nurse. Retrieved from http://www.rehabnurse.org/pubs/role/Role-Rehab- Staff-Nurse.html 2) Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Gerontology Special Interest Group. (n.d.). The gerontological rehabilitation nurse. Retrieved from http://www.rehabnurse.org/pubs/role/Role- Gerontological-Rehab-Nurse.html