Gerontological nurse practitioners provide a well-rounded approach to care. They treat and prevent illness and address the cultural, psychological and social aspects of aging. With this comprehensive approach to health, gerontological nurses can deliver a care plan that the patient will understand and that family members or caregivers can support.
AGNPs are advanced nurse practitioners who specialize in either primary care or acute care. They can work with adults across the life span, starting in early adulthood. As baby boomers age, AGNPs will play a significant role in treating the growing number of patients with complex health issues related to age and chronic conditions.
Job Duties
The duties of an AGNP may vary depending on the needs of the patient. Nurses may assist with daily routines, such as eating, bathing, dressing and walking and may also administer medications and monitor health vitals, working alongside a physician.
Adult-gerontological acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) play a specific role in the care of older adults by caring for patients with critical conditions and chronic illnesses. They operate out of various settings, such as intensive care units (ICUs) and long-term care facilities.
Health Issues in Older Adults
AGNPs assess older adults to identify the physical, social, economic, psychological and even spiritual factors that may influence the health of patients, as well as educate patients on how to improve health outcomes.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. In fact, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke are four chronic diseases that are responsible for about two-thirds of deaths each year.
Diabetes alone impacts about 23% of all individuals older than 60 years old, according to NCOA. Those who are prediabetic can be at risk for several other chronic diseases, particularly heart disease and stroke.
Another chronic condition affecting older adults is obesity. As the metabolism slows and muscle tissue decreases, the chance for obesity in older adults rises. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 43% of adults 60 and older were obese as of 2017-18. Obesity has been linked to chronic conditions, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer.
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, particularly those working in acute care, provide emergency care for older patients dealing with other health issues not related to chronic diseases. According to the CDC, “In 2018, almost 7,700 older adults (aged 65+) were killed in traffic crashes, and more than 250,000 were treated in emergency departments for crash injuries.” Driving accidents make up a significant number of deaths and injuries annually. AGACNPs are responsible for treating the wounds of injured elderly patients and making treatment plans for their recovery.
Another common health issue for older adults is falling. As individuals age, start walking slower and begin to lose their balance, they become more prone to missing a step or slipping on a wet surface. NCOA reports that about “every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall.”
Falling can cause an elderly patient to fracture a hip, break an arm, bruise their face or harm their skull, among other issues. AGACNPs are involved in the process of assessing the conditions of patients after falling and analyzing their injuries.