1. Chapter One
Holistic Caring

2. Gerontological Nursing
Guaranteed future in nursing
New nursing specialty
Certified nurses
Clinical specialists
Geriatric nurse practitioners

3. Gerontological Nursing
Specific body of knowledge
Signs and symptoms of illness
Medication dosages
Life stages

4. Demographics of Aging Growing old is new for our society
More people are older than age 65
According to 2002 census
35.6 million older adults
Constitute 12.3% of U.S. population
20.8 million women over age 65
14.8 million men over age 65

5. Demographics of Aging 2002 Census (cont.) Average life expectancy is
79 years for women
72.9 years for men
85+ years of age will increase from 4.6 million to 9.6 million in 2030
More older women in 85+ category
65+ age group projected to double within next 25 years

6. Demographics of Aging Why more older adults?
Increase in number of “baby boomers”
Better nutrition, sanitation, and overall living conditions
Lower infant mortality rates
Effective medical management of acute and chronic illness

7. Demographics of Aging Older adults today
Have more education
Have more financial resources
Have fewer children to provide care
Less than 5% are living in long-term care facilities or assisted living
95% living in community with aging spouse, family members, or alone

8. Nursing Philosophy What is your nursing philosophy?
Need to develop own philosophy
Simple
Specific
Has meaning to you

9. Holistic Nursing Holism or wholism means “whole” or “to heal”
Holistic care refers to care of the body, mind, socialization, and spirit of the person
Focuses on persons’ whole being rather than just specific parts

10. Holistic Nursing Weaves technical skills with social science skills
Nurse takes active role in developing a healing relationship with the patient
Listening is a crucial activity for promoting holistic care

11. Holistic Nursing
Encourages participation of patient in his or her care
Teamwork is important
Nurse identifies potential team members
Team members may include
Family members or other significant others
Various health-care providers

12. Human Caring Jean Watson Science of Human Caring
Importance of developing personalized care
Foundation of caring
View all humans as valued people
Place an emphasis on the human relationship
Focus on the human-to-human relationship

13. Gerotranscendence Critical task of old age
Involves transition to less concern for material possessions, meaningless relationships, and self-interest
Older adults desire a life with more connections to other people