Nursing Skills and Career Opportunities in Geriatric Care

With the Baby Boomer generation coming of senior age, the numbers of elderly patients requiring specialized care are increasing, and so are the demands for geriatric nursing skills. According to the recent U.S. Health and Human Services report, the portion of Americans over the age of 65 is expected to rise to 21.7 percent of the total population by 2040. In 2020, one in six people in the U.S. were age 65 and over; by 2060, that number is expected to double. While basic nursing skills are important for all types of patients, a geriatric nurse requires a specialized skill set to meet the needs of the elderly.

Essential Nursing Skills for Geriatric Patients

Geriatric nursing is a large niche that can cover work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, doctor’s offices, and home health environments. Discover the nursing skills you need to work in this rewarding and lucrative healthcare niche.

An Acute Eye on Preventive Care

Prevention is a key component of any healthcare treatment plan, but it’s essential for many elderly patients. Older individuals don’t always recover quickly from injuries or illnesses. Whether geriatric patients are being treated in a facility or in outpatient settings, RNs must combine basic nursing skills with preventive measures to help keep patients feeling great. Common prevention measures include:

• Involving the family or other support systems in education, treatment planning, and discharge instructions
• Working with patients or support systems to develop appropriate diet and exercise habits
• Implementing monitoring and equipment measures in facilities and at home to prevent falls

Written and Verbal Communication

Communication is a required nursing skill in any clinical occupation, but geriatric nurses must be able to adapt standard written and verbal skills to fit the needs of their patients. Common communication barriers for seniors can include impaired hearing, loss of visual acuity, cognitive impairments, and physical issues articulating themselves. When communicating with patients, allow seniors extra time to hear, interpret and speak during conversations. Active listening is another essential addition to nursing skills, especially in geriatric environments.

Compassion and End-of-Life Care

Most nurses have the heart to serve their patients, but nowhere is that more apparent than in geriatric nursing. Older patients may need assistance with activities of daily living, including getting out of bed or chairs, eating, dressing, or going to the restroom. In some cases, patients may not be able to handle daily living without medical intervention, which means nurses must be adept at managing lift equipment, tube feeding, and other assistance devices.

One thing you do have to be able to deal with, no matter where you engage with geriatric patients, is the facts about end-of-life care. In some cases, nursing elderly patients may be more about making them comfortable during their final years than helping them control a chronic illness or treat a short-term condition. Coping with death and the end-of-life process takes special skill sets and compassion to find your home in this niche.

The Role of a Geriatric Care Manager

What is a geriatric care manager? This growing field combines nursing expertise with holistic healthcare approaches, ensuring geriatric adults get personalized, comprehensive care. Geriatric care managers specialize in coordinating and managing care for older adults and their families.

Core Domains of Geriatric Care Management

• Assessments and planning: Care managers assess a patient’s physical needs, mental state, and social environment to develop care plans tailored to their circumstances.
• Advocacy and support: They act as a support system for both seniors and their caregivers, offering guidance, emotional support, and resources.
• Service coordination: Care managers help with appointment schedules, transportation, and assisting with activities of daily living.
• Crisis intervention: If a senior patient has a fall or another change in status, care managers help them and the family make decisions about next steps.
• Long-term planning: They help seniors and their families decide on plans that include housing options, legal matters, and financial planning.

Professional Tasks and Responsibilities

Aging is a natural part of life, and geriatric care managers help older adults as they move through aging care. Key tasks include:

• Following up after a senior’s specialist appointment to be sure they understand the plan of care and their medications.
• Helping a senior understand their health insurance coverage through Medicare and helping them apply for Medicaid.
• Regularly visiting the senior to assess their well-being and documenting any changes in health status.
• Collaborating with an agency to provide in-home hospice care after a senior is discharged with a terminal diagnosis.

Salary and Geographic Data

The average geriatric care manager salary is around $89,000 per year. Your salary will depend on where you work, your experience, and education. States that offer some of the highest average annual salaries to RNs include:

• California
• Hawaii
• Oregon
• Washington, DC
• New York