More people in the United States are living longer, and this aging population has forced the healthcare system to reevaluate how they care for the elderly. As the baby boomer population gets older, so does the need for treatment of age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, and other chronic illnesses. There is more emphasis placed on preventative medicine than ever before, which is another reason people are living well into their eighties and nineties.

This longevity has created many opportunities for medical professionals who wish to specialize in gerontology.  Gerontological nurse practitioners focus on providing holistic care to aging patients. They treat the illnesses a patient is suffering from but also focus on other aspects of a patient’s life, such as spiritual, cultural, social, and psychological elements. With a holistic approach, it is much easier for the patient and their caregivers to understand and work with the nurse to implement a treatment plan that will improve the elderly patient’s life.

Advanced gerontological nurse practitioners (AGNPs) assist with patients’ daily routines as well as help with their medication and educate them on their condition. They care for patients with chronic conditions and illnesses and operate out of places such as hospitals, hospices, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Their duties include identifying the factors that influence the health of their patients, such as social and economic factors as well as collaborating with their patients on creating a plan for the best lifestyle changes for a healthier life.

The medical community used to just treat elderly patients with a reductive approach, focusing purely on their physical symptoms. The role of an AGNP is dedicated to understanding how the patient can make changes in their life to alleviate some symptoms and prevent further illnesses from cropping up.

Big life changes elderly patients can go through include retirement, suffering from a fall, losing their spouse, or having to move out of their homes. There are many changes that can affect the health of an individual and cause extreme stress and emotional upheaval. Mental health issues can affect the physiology of these patients and cause their symptoms to get worse or lead to them not taking medications properly. These life changes are what AGNPs will look at when creating a treatment plan for an elderly person.

Adult gerontology nurses need several important skills to be qualified enough to deal with these challenging patients, including analytical thinking, excellent communication skills, empathy, and emotional maturity, among others. Along with these skills, these medical professionals will have the proper education, licensing, and certification to provide the very best holistic care to these aging patients.

Aspiring AGNPs can complete an RN to MSN online course with an accredited school such as Wilkes University. Programs such as these offer further education to registered nurses who want to move into more advanced fields, such as gerontology, with opportunities for flexible learning that can fit around any work or social commitments. Wilkes University focuses its study on integrating the skills, knowledge and attitudes of nursing into developing healthcare settings and strategies to improve outcomes.

Communication skills

Communication skills are probably one of the most important when treating an elderly patient. Patients are often scared and stressed that they can no longer do the activities they used to do and might be facing a loss of independence. Gentle and honest communication is essential, as is ensuring they and their families understand what is needed for their care. In some cases, the patient may not have the capacity to understand and the AGNP will need to educate the patient’s family on the proper care or provide options for care, such as long-term facilities. If an elderly patient is hard of hearing or suffering from memory loss, the AGNP may need to speak slowly and loudly or write out instructions for medications.

Communication is a two-way street, and medical professionals must also listen to the desires of their patients. An elderly patient may want to stay at home while they are being treated, so resources to make that happen should be part of the treatment plan.

Leadership

Strong leadership skills are highly crucial in providing care for elderly patients, especially in healthcare settings. Effective leadership can improve the quality of care that the elderly receives and enhance the well-being of patients and their families.

Leadership skills play a critical role in promoting patient-centered care that involves treating elderly patients with dignity, respect, and empathy. Good leadership can help AGNPs to create care plans tailored to individual patient’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. This is important because the needs and preferences of the elderly population are often diverse and multifaceted. Effective leadership can foster a person-centered care approach that enhances patient and family satisfaction, resulting in better health outcomes. Advocating for their patients could also mean getting them treatment for mental health issues caused by a change in lifestyle.

This skill also facilitates the development of training and education programs that enhance the knowledge and skills of AGNPs in gerontology. Strong leadership can help to identify gaps in training and resources and work collaboratively to plug them. This is important because the elderly population presents complex clinical and non-clinical issues that require AGPNs with vast knowledge and experience to manage effectively.

Analytical mindset

AGNPs must have an analytical mindset that allows them to fully assess a patient’s needs and appreciate the complexities of their condition. These health professionals must examine the status of a person’s health thoroughly and examine their medical history. Any treatment plan should include consideration of environmental factors, including social activities, health status, family situation, and abilities. AGNPs need to be thorough in their assessment and gain as much knowledge as they can from available sources such as records, the patient themselves, and their families.

Elderly patients may have multiple and complex health conditions that require thorough assessment and evaluation. AGNPs with an analytical mindset can analyze patient reports, lab results, and medical histories to identify patient needs and develop a comprehensive care plan. The analytical approach helps to prioritize care and address immediate health concerns to prevent further complications.

Effective care for elderly patients also requires ongoing monitoring, and AGNPs must make adjustments when needed. An analytical mindset helps AGNPs track patient progress and modify treatment plans for optimal results. The analytical approach allows for the tracking and interpretation of data concerning elderly patients’ conditions and medication administration. An analytical approach also helps AGNPs interpret data to recognize trends in a patient’s needs. By analyzing past performance metrics and patient data, AGPNs can adjust care plans for better outcomes and identify areas of improvement and communicate patient needs and progress to other care providers with precise language.

Adopting an analytical mindset helps AGNPs to provide effective, evidence-based care to elderly patients. The analytical approach enhances precise assessment, monitoring, and communication techniques, leading to better healthcare outcomes for the elderly population.

Critical thinking

AGNPs need to constantly reevaluate their care plans as a patient ages and develops more age-related illnesses. Critical thinking involves recommending solutions that will treat new illnesses but also work to prevent others. This skill also extends to working with other members of a healthcare team, such as physiotherapists, home care workers, doctors, and nurses.

Critical thinking is an essential skill that involves a combination of things such as reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and judgment. Critical thinking allows AGNPs to carry out a comprehensive assessment of elderly patients and use critical thinking skills to gather data, interpret results, and make informed decisions based on their patients’ needs.

Elderly patients may present with a range of symptoms that may indicate an underlying condition. AGNPs use critical thinking skills to analyze these symptoms and make accurate diagnoses promptly. This skill also helps to develop individualized treatment plans that consider patients’ unique needs, preferences, and abilities. This helps to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care that promotes holistic health.

These patients also require close monitoring, and AGNPs use critical thinking skills to monitor patient status continuously. This helps them identify any changes in health status that may require immediate intervention. These same patients may face complex problems related to their health, family, or social environment and nurse practitioners use critical thinking to solve patients’ problems and provide the best possible outcomes.

Elderly patients require care from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. AGNPs use critical thinking skills to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible. This skill also helps plan and maintain patients’ continuity of care. This ensures that elderly patients receive consistent, effective, and patient-centered care.

Where are AGNPs based?

AGNPs work in many different settings such as acute care facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes. These different institutions require different duties depending on where the AGNP lands.

Hospitals

Nurse practitioners who work in hospitals with elderly patients generally treat patients in need of acute care. These patients usually need immediate care because they have fallen or developed a chronic condition such as pneumonia. These elderly patients need to be tended to and supervised until they are either discharged or referred to another facility that can give them around-the-clock care. 

Long-term care facilities

AGNPs who work in long-term care facilities support elderly patients who are recovering from serious injuries or illnesses. These patients tend to need help with daily activities and the nurse practitioners work with a medical team to provide the care necessary for these patients. Home health aide workers usually visit these patients in their homes and assess whether a move to a specialized facility where there is 24-hour care is needed.

Assisted living facilities

These facilities provide another care option for elderly patients where AGNPs can supervise their care and assist in checkups and administering medication.

Nursing homes

Nursing homes provide care for many different elderly patients with a broad range of physical conditions. These facilities give full-time care to elderly patients including around-the-clock supervision, meal preparation, and assistance with daily needs such as bathing and eating. The AGNPs who work in these facilities work with residents who have chronic or degenerative diseases and act as primary caregivers for patients. They also educate and work with family members or caregivers to discuss treatment plans and how to administer medication. The AGNP will also evaluate the plan often and make changes as necessary.

Conclusion

With the increase in elderly patients, there is a greater need for adult gerontology nurse practitioners than ever before. By specializing with a master’s degree, nurses can ensure they are capable of caring for the complex lives and health conditions of elderly patients and can put suitable treatment plans in place. These dedicated and skilled professionals provide the necessary compassion and care to treat this vulnerable group, ensuring that their twilight years are happy and comfortable.

Jane