Course Outline

In this 8th edition, Gerontological Nursing continues to bridge the growing body of specialty knowledge with relevancy for practice. Presenting a wide range of topics, this text provides comprehensive information to serve as a strong foundation for gerontological nursing practice.

With its focus on health promotion and healing through a balance of the body, mind, and spirit of individuals, Gerontological Nursing guides nurses not just in treating diseases but also in serving the needs of the total person. This text teaches nursing interventions that can empower the older individual to achieve maximum self-care in regard to health challenges related needs.

Key features that provide a greater understanding and application include:

• Bringing Research to Life presents current research and how to apply that knowledge in practice.
• Practice Realities pose real-life examples of challenges that could be faced by a nurse in practice.
• Points to Ponder boxes pose questions to stimulate thinking related to the content
• Assessment Guides outline the components of general observations, interview, and physical assessment of major body systems
• Nursing Diagnosis Highlights provide an overview of selected nursing diagnosis common in older adults
• Nursing Care Plans demonstrate the steps in developing nursing diagnoses, goals, and actions from identified needs
• Consider This Case boxes illustrate examples of clinical situations that offer opportunities for critical thinking
• Critical Thinking Exercises help guide application

About the Authors

Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN, MPH, ND, PhD is a recognized leader in long-term care and gerontological nursing, Charlotte Eliopoulos has dedicated over thirty years to the advancement of these specialties. She has served in a variety of positions ranging from nursing assistant to director of nursing, and pioneered such roles as clinical specialist in gerontological nursing in the acute medical service of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and state specialist in gerontological nursing for the Maryland Department of Health. She published the first book ever written on nursing administration in long-term care in the early 1980s, which contributed to the birth of this nursing specialty. She is a popular speaker and currently serves as the Executive Director of the newly formed American Association for Long Term Care Nursing.

Charlotte has written 19 books, several of which have multiple editions; they include Gerontological Nursing 6th edition, Nursing Administration of Long-Term Care 6th edition, DON Guide for Excellence in LTC, LPN Guide for Excellence in LTC, and Staff Development Handbook for Long-Term Care Facilities. She also has written numerous book chapters and articles. She is certified in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses’ Association and in nursing administration in long-term care by NADONA/LTC.