Geriatric Health and Quality of Life - Assessments and Indicators - SOD

Course overview

For the first time in American history the geriatric population is growing faster than any other demographic. Initially viewed as a trend, the growth of the senior demographic coincided with longevity, resulting in a demographic shift that has changed the face of society. Many therapeutic services will expand their home services to accommodate the senior population. In order for healthcare professional to truly meet the needs of this rapidly growing group, there must be an updated understanding and insight into the population. Done properly, this enhances both the patient and healthcare professionals experience. When working with this population it is important to understand their lives and perspectives. No longer is a traditional medical history enough, it is now time to ask specific questions about nutrition, sleep, hydration, medication management, friendship, feelings of loneliness, and recent situational life experiences. This population has never existed before so there is a learning curve for all services. In this course, healthcare professionals are familiarized with the type of information that needs to be obtained in order to provide the patient with the best results. Additionally, the healthcare professional learns to identify other issues in the senior's life that they may find themselves having to share with the appropriate parties.