Geriatric Syndromes for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Catalog description

This course prepares adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) students to provide person-centered care for older adults with geriatric syndromes, chronic co-morbidities and complex medical problems according to the most recent competencies. AGACNP students will apply their knowledge of older adults and the changes associated with aging to critically think through progressively challenging problems and generate the best ethical and clinical decisions using validated decision-models. Assessment of older adults upon admission to a hospital or transition to sub-acute care facilities will be emphasized to determine the client’s baseline physical status and social determinants of health (SDOH) to mitigate healthcare-acquired complications such as functional decline, cognitive impairment, falls, delirium, infections and malnutrition, to name a few. All aspects of the healthcare continuum will be explored including health promotion, secondary prevention, disease management, hospital care, advance care planning and palliative care. The course will foster the AGACNP students’ competency in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare to help reduce disparities, inequities, bias and racism in healthcare for all older adults. Application of relevant federal and state policies that influence access to care and utilization of healthcare resources of older adults will be integrated throughout. AGACNP students will demonstrate their competency development in the assessment, diagnosis and management of diverse older adults with geriatric syndromes.