Iarrthóir Ard-Altra Liachleachta - Ortaipéideach Geiriatrach
Introduction
Population ageing is occurring rapidly and between 2015 and 2030, the number of people in the world aged 60 years or over is projected to increase by 56%. In Ireland, the older population (i.e. those aged 65 years and over) is projected to increase by between 58% and 63% from 2015 to 2030. As older people have different healthcare requirements, the Irish healthcare system needs to adapt to meet the demands associated with these demographic changes.
Many older people experience problems associated with old age. Health problems can be found in people of all ages but their nature and course are different in older people, as are the care and interventions that may be effective. Therefore nurses working in older people’s services must have the appropriate knowledge, skills and values to deliver high quality care. Gerontological nurses in collaboration with healthcare professional colleagues play a key role in providing expert clinical advice, education and support in primary and secondary care. It is imperative that each nurse working with older people develop the additional capability to embrace and deliver on new ways of working, and innovative methods of service delivery.
Nurses play a central role in creating and developing a positive and enabling culture where older people’s rights are promoted and they are active participants in their own care decisions. ANP roles can enhance service provision and enable the delivery of the right care to the right person at the right time through specialist focused knowledge and skill set.
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