Understanding Geriatrics: Nursing Care and the Aging Process

Geriatrics and Gerontological Nursing

Geriatrics, derived from the Greek words Gerais (old age) and iatreía (healing), is the medical branch focused on the health of the elderly. It encompasses clinical, therapeutic, preventive, and social aspects. Geriatric nursing, now known as gerontological nursing since 1976, integrates geriatrics and gerontology into biological, psychological, and social branches.

Objectives of Gerontological Nursing

• Understand aging as a natural life stage.
• Assist the elderly in adapting to changes.
• Recognize that aging is not a disease.
• Identify individual and collective needs (physical, psychological, social).
• Understand their life history, current problems, and future projects.
• Analyze life possibilities and understand their demands.
• Adapt care to meet their needs.

Nursing Care Principles

Nursing care should be comprehensive, facilitating the elderly's participation in decision-making. It should consider their views, maintain their independence, help them accept limitations, provide support, and preserve their dignity. Nurses should organize, implement, and evaluate programs, and conduct research for better services.

Basic Training Considerations

Training should consider the work environment, relationships with other professionals, and available resources. It should also address the specific characteristics of the elderly and the multidisciplinary team involved (physicians, nurses, social workers, family).

The Process of Aging

Concept of Aging: Aging refers to the period of life following middle age. Terms like seniors, golden age, third age, fourth age, and elderly are used, with 'elderly person' being the most accepted. Geriatric subgroups include: presenile (45-60 years), gradual senescence (60-72 years), seniors (72-90 years), and the fourth age (80-85 years), with the 'big' group being 90s onwards. Aging begins when the body reaches its maximum effectiveness and continues with morphological, physiological, and psychological changes, leading to the external appearance of old age.

Criteria Defining Old Age

Aging varies physically, psychologically, and socially, but these aspects are interconnected.

Chronological Age

Chronological age is the objective number of years since birth. Its meaning varies geographically and historically. It is important but not decisive.

Physical Age

Physical appearance and traits change, assigning an apparent age.

Psychological Age

"Psychological aging involves growth and decline, with some functions declining, others remaining stable, and others developing through experience" (Fernandez-Ballesteros).