Teaching Strategies

Caring for the Older Adult Living in the Community

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of this teaching strategy.

Overview of Teaching Strategy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of U.S. adults aged 65 years old or older will more than double to reach about 71 million by 2030. Many of these older adults will continue to live and enjoy life in their communities. Health promotion for older adults living in the community is directed at interventions and services to prolong independence and functional status. This teaching strategy can be used to enhance the learning of students in beginning prelicensure nursing courses. Students will examine older adults’ functional, physical, emotional, and mental health needs using the ACES framework. In addition, students will use therapeutic communication skills to assess older adults’ wishes, expectations, cultural traditions, strengths, community resources, and family/caregiver involvement.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Interact intentionally with older adults living independently in the community.
• Assess and recognize the functional physical, emotional, and mental needs of older adults living in the community.
• Communicate effectively with clients and family.
• Describe the role of the nurse when providing care to older adults in the community.
• Discuss previously held beliefs/assumptions about how older adults live independently in the community.
• Assess older adults’ risks and understand the importance of weighing risks and benefits when caring for older adults.

ACES Essential Nursing Actions

• Assess Function and Expectations
• Coordinate and Manage Care
• Make Situational Decisions

ACES Essential Knowledge Domains

• Individualized Aging
• Complexity of Care

NLN Education Competencies

• Nursing Judgment
• Human Flourishing
• Professional Identity
• Spirit of Inquiry

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