Linda Felver, Ph.D., R.N.

Three of them focus on individual older adults. The next three focus on older adults and caregiver issues. The last three focus on older adults and system issues.

As you read each competency, pause for a moment to consider how you could use it in your own setting.

 Awareness  Communication  Assessment Focus on individual older adults:

Increase own and others’ awareness of attitudes, values, and expectations about aging and their impact on care of older adults and their families.

Communicate effectively, respectfully, and compassionately with older adults and their families/caregivers.

Use appropriate assessments for the functional, physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual status of older adults.

 Adapting Care  Maximizing Function  Optimal Aging Focus on older adults and caregiver issues:

Plan, implement, and evaluate care that is adapted to meet the individual functional, physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and endurance capabilities of older adults.

Plan, implement, and evaluate care that assists older adults and their families/ caregivers to meet personal goals, express preferences, maximize function, maintain desired level of autonomy and independence, and live in their chosen environment.

Plan, implement, and evaluate care that promotes optimal aging.

 Complex Decisions  Organizational Systems  Advocacy Focus on older adults and system issues:

Guide older adults and their families/caregivers in making complex decisions that arise with aging.

Work effectively within and across organizational systems to promote quality care for older persons.

Advocate for health, social, and financial needs of older adults at the policy level.

Now that you have an overview of the Competencies for Working with Older Adults, choose one and explore the learning activities in these Older Adult Focus materials that will help you develop it.