According to the Pew Research Center, 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every day. It is predicted that by 2060, the number of those 85 years of age and older will more than triple. To meet the needs of this burgeoning population, it is essential that nurses be knowledgeable about best practices for geriatric patients. Some important aspects of best practices include how aging changes can increase the risk for dehydration and how changes to the integumentary and nervous systems can affect treatments and patient outcomes. 

Guest: 
Suzanne Purvis, DNP, RN, GCNS-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatrics
Beaumont Health
Royal Oak, Michigan

According to the Pew Research Center, 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every day. It is predicted that by 2060, the number of those 85 years of age and older will more than triple. To meet the needs of this burgeoning population, it is essential that nurses be knowledgeable about best practices for geriatric patients. Some important aspects of best practices include how aging changes can increase the risk for dehydration and how changes to the integumentary and nervous systems can affect treatments and patient outcomes. 

Resources:
1. Purvis S. Improving cognitive and functional outcomes in hospitalized older adults with dementia. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) 2016-2017 webinar series. November 8, 2016.
2. Purvis S, Zupanc T. Improving assessment of pain in the cognitively impaired older adult using a pre- post-quality improvement design. Nurses Improving Care of Health System Elders 2016 Online Connect webinars. October 19, 2016.  
3. Purvis S, Zupanc T, VanDenBergh S, Martin H. Population-based nursing competency development. J Nurs Professional Dev. 2015;31(4): 231-236.