Life and health of older people
People aged about 65 and over are called older people. With age, organs slow down: eyes and ears weaken, bones thin, muscles lose strength, the heart and lungs have less reserve, and the body heals slower.
Many older people live with more than one long illness (for example high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis) and take many medicines. Illness may show up in unusual ways, such as confusion instead of fever.
But older people differ widely. One 80-year-old walks 3 km daily, another needs help to stand. Never judge by age alone. Mind and spirit matter too: loneliness and loss of role can cause sadness.
Health and welfare of older people
Welfare means the support that helps a person live well. For older people it has several layers:
- Family: love, daily help, shared home.
- Neighbours and community: visits, friendship, senior clubs.
- Health services: check-ups, home visits, vaccines, long-term care.
- Money support: pensions, health insurance, care insurance, concessions.
Ageing populations are growing in many countries, so these systems matter more every year.
Features of gerontological nursing
Gerontological nursing is nursing for older people. Its special features:
- Looks at the whole person: body, mind, home and social life, not only one disease.
- Aims to keep abilities and independence. Help only where needed. Too much help makes the person weaker.
- Works with a team and the family.
- Prevents common dangers: falls, bed sores, wrong medicine, poor food and loneliness.
- Looks for the person's quality of life, not only length of life, up to the end of life.
Ethical issues in gerontological nursing
Older people may be weak or confused, so they need extra respect. Main ideas:
- Dignity: talk as to an adult, never as to a child; protect privacy during care.
- Choice (autonomy): ask what they want about food, clothes and treatment; if memory is poor, still include them and involve family.
- Safety: protect from falls and harm without locking or tying people.
- No abuse or neglect: no shouting, hitting, ignoring, stealing money or leaving them hungry. Report any sign of it.
- Honesty and confidentiality.
Try it
In the 3D, drag the Help slider to 0, 5 and 10. Read the message each time and say why 5 is the best. At home: next time you help an elder, ask first "Would you like help?" and watch how they respond.
Key formulas and definitions
- Older people: usually 65 and over; differences between people are large
- Welfare layers: family, neighbours, health services, pension/insurance
- Right-sized help: too little = falls; too much = lost skills
- Ethics: Dignity, Choice, Safety; no abuse, no neglect
Worked examples
1. An older man can dress himself slowly. A nurse is in a hurry. What should she do?
Let him dress himself, give extra time and help only with buttons if he asks. This keeps his skills and dignity.
2. An older woman refuses a bath today. What does ethical nursing do?
Ask why (cold, pain, shyness), offer a warm room or a different time, respect the answer, and keep her clean in a way she accepts.
3. A neighbour notices an older lady always hungry with bruises. What is it a sign of, and what to do?
Possible neglect or abuse. Speak to her kindly and report to a health worker, social worker or the helpline, so she is protected.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all older people are weak or ill. They are very different from each other.
- Doing everything for them. Too much help makes them weaker.
- Talking to an older person like a child, or talking only to the family.
- Believing confusion is "just old age". It can be a sign of infection or a drug problem and needs checking.