older people’s health issues
Care Providers: Practitioners
Nurses
Nurses may work in a doctor’s office, hospital, rehabilitation facility, long-term care facility, or senior center, or they may provide care in a person’s home. Nurses may help coordinate care by communicating information to the different practitioners involved, the person, and family members. Also, they are often more readily available for questions that older people may have about their disorders or treatment. Nurses may teach older people about measures to help maintain good health, such as diet, safety, stress management, sleep, and exercise. Other duties include checking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and temperature), taking samples of blood, giving treatments, and teaching people how to care for themselves. Nurses may ask questions about the person's health (for the medical history) and home situation. Registered nurses (RNs) often provide most of an older person’s health care. RNs supervise care provided by licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nurses’ aides. RNs are taught to do a physical examination and check for changes that need to be evaluated by a doctor. They also can administer medications to the person, as prescribed by a doctor. LPNs may do many functions but always under the supervision of an RN. Nurses may obtain advanced training in specialty areas. Nurses who have advanced training in the care of older people are called geriatric nurse specialists. 