Chapter 1 Principles of Gerontological Nursing

Improvements in health and social care have contributed to demographic ageing around the world. This means that nurses who work with adults will increasingly be working with older people (people over retirement age, most often aged 60 years or more). The fastest growing group of the older population is the oldest old, i.e. those who are 80 years old or more. Globally in 2000, the oldest old numbered 70 million and their numbers are projected to increase to more than five times that over the next 50 years (Huber 2005). Adding years to life is a great achievement, particularly when this is accompanied by a good level of health and well being. For many people, however, longevity brings with it an array of challenges, some age related, others condition specific which impact on their lives and those close to them. Increased susceptibility to health problems and the cumulative effect of relatively minor problems coupled with a decreased recovery capacity explains the high demands for healthcare by this group. In addition to changes in states of physical and mental health, social determinants of health such as poverty and social isolation can compound an individual’s problems. The susceptibility of older people to declining health and the global increase in numbers of people living into late old age make compelling reasons to mobilise nursing efforts and for us all to prioritise investment in the development of gerontological practices. Box 1.1 What matters to me: older person