NCM 114:

CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT

 COURSE ORIENTATION
COURSE CODE: NCM 114
COURSE TITLE: Care for Older Adults
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with concepts, principles, theories and techniques in the care of older
adults. The learners are expected to perform holistic nursing care of the older persons in
wellness and chronic illness utilizing the nursing process.
CREDIT UNITS: Theory: 2 units (54 hours); RLE Clinical (Hospital /
Community) 1 unit (51 hours)
PLACEMENT: Third Year, First Semester
PREREQUISITE: NCM 103

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

 COURSE ORIENTATION
 Important Reminders:
 
1. Communicating with the Teacher
It is your responsibility to communicate with your teacher about questions or issues that prevent you from
completing assignments or completing this course.

2. Inactive Students
Students who have been inactive as of the end of the 3rd week of the course and who have not communicated
with the teacher will be given an INC grade.

3. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words instead of your own. In this course, you are expected to use your
own words and ideas, and to acknowledge any sources you use to gather ideas. Plagiarism is not allowed in this
course.
We will have a synchronous and asynchronous learning activities in accordance with flexible learning strategies.
You can communicate your concerns through my messenger, email, or mobile phone during consultation hours.
NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
 COURSE OUTLINE
UNIT 1: Concepts, Principles and Theories in the Care of Older Adults
UNIT 2: Nursing Care of the Older Adult in Wellness
UNIT 3: Nursing Care of the Older Adult in Chronic Illness
UNIT 5: Ethico-Legal Considerations in the Care of Older Adult
UNIT 6: Communicating with Older Persons
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
UNIT 7: Guidelines for Effective Documentation
UNIT 8: Geriatric Health Care Team
UNIT 9: Research Agenda on Aging
UNIT 10: Trends / Issues & Challenges on the Care of Older Persons
UNIT 11: Advocacy Programs Relevant to the Care of Older Persons
UNIT 12: Inspirational Videos on Older Adults
UNIT 13: Telehealth & the Older Person
UNIT 14: Entrepreneurial Opportunities
FINAL EXAMINATION
NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
 GRADING SYSTEM

Term Outcomes:
 50 % Class Standing
50% Class Standing (Quizzes 10%, Activity/Assignments
30%, and Oral participation, Discussion 5%)  
 + 50% (Term Exam)

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Concepts, Principles & Theories in the
Care of Older Adults
MODULE 1

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

 Definition of Terms
1) Aging or ageing
 Process of becoming older. Having lived for a long time.
2) Geriatric
 Came from Greek words “geras” meaning old age, & “iatro” meaning relating to
medical treatment.
 Is the medical specialty that deals with the physiology of aging & with the diagnosis &
treatment of diseases affecting older adults.
3) Gerontology
 Came from Greek words “gero” meaning related to old age & “ology” meaning the
study of.
 Is the study of all aspects of the aging process.
4) Gerontic
 The nursing care and the service provided to older adults.
NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
Aging can be described as …..
1) Chronological Age
• The number of years a person has lived.
• Chronological categories:
 60 to 74 (Young old); 75 to 84 (Middle Old); 85 & Older (Old-Old)
 55 to 64 (Older); 65 to 74 (Elderly); 75 to 84 (Aged); 85 & older (Extremely aged)
2) Physiologic Age
• Determination of age by body function.
3) Functional Age
• The person’s ability to contribute to society & benefit others & himself.

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

FACT OR MYTH? Older Adults….

1) Suffer from depression.

2) May experience some decline in
intellectual abilities, but it is usually not
severe enough to cause problems in daily
living.
3) Are pretty much all alike.
4) Generally are alone & lonely.
5) Typically adjust well to the challenges in
aging.

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Demography
 What do you think will be the impact / implication of the aging population to health care & the
nursing profession?
 What is the impact of the aging members in the family?
Some Key Facts Philippine Statistics of Aging Population
2019 2050

Population aged 60 and above (total) 9,433,000 23,863,000

Population aged 60 and above (% of total population) 8.6 16.5
Older women aged 60+ (% of total population) 4.83 9.40
Life expectancy (males) 67.08 71.88
Life expectancy (females) 75.31 79.5
Rural older people (% of total population) 6.48
Urban older people (% of total population) 6.54
Older persons living alone aged 60 and above (% of total population 5.4
aged 60+)

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

 Impact Aging Members in the Family

 When my parents are unable to care for themselves, I will

 If both my parents & grandparents were alive & in need of assistance, I would

 If both my children & my parents needed help from me, I would

 If my parents were in a nursing home, I would want the nurses to  

 When I grow old, I want my family to

 Demography

 What is the impact of the aging members in the family?

 Demographic Changes Affecting the Family:
1) Extended life spans are leading to more older family members.
2) More people are living with chronic conditions and need some degree of care or assistance.
3) The number of people in the younger generations is decreasing in proportion to the number of older
members.
4) There is an increasing number of widows who may be unprepared to provide for their own needs and
will need assistance.
5) The role of women is changing. As women increasingly must work outside the home, many are
attempting to meet the demands of their parents, home, children, and workplace.

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

 LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVES

ACQUISITIO
STRUGGLE LEGACY
N

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Theories of Aging
 Biochemical aging theories:
a) Wear & tear Theory;
b) Somatic mutation theory;
c) Deprivation theory
 Physiological aging theories:
a) Stress theory;
b) Adaptation theory
 Psychosocial development theories:
a) Disengagement theory,
b) Activity theory &
c) Continuity theory
NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
Theories of Aging
1. In this theory, the body is compared to a piece of cloth that
gets torn through constant and continuous wearing:
a) Somatic mutation theory
b) Adaptation theory
c) Wear & tear theory

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Theories of Aging
2. The Deprivation theory is conceptualized by:
a) How exposure to low doses of radiation accelerates the
aging process.
b) Lack of essential nutrients & poor oxygen to body cells
lead to aging.
c) Withdrawal of older persons from social activities.

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Theories of Aging
3. It describes aging as the cumulative effects of the stresses of
living:
a) Stress theory
b) Continuity theory
c) Disengagement theory

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Theories of Aging
4. Differentiate Activity theory from Continuity theory.

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult
Physiologic Changes in Aging affecting
various Systems

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Nursing Care of the Older Adults in
Wellness
MODULE 2

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Assessment of the
Health Status of
Older Persons

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Factors affecting the Health Status of Older
Persons
LIVING
AGING CHRONIC
ARRANGEMEN
EFFECTS ILLNESS
TS
• Functional Status • Hypertension • Living in isolation
• Memory loss or • Arthritis • Resides with family
confusion states • Heart diseases or relatives or friends
• Visual & hearing • Diabetes Mellitus • Financial difficulties
impairment
• Decreased organ
reserves

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Principles & Techniques
in Assessing the Health
Status of the Older
Adults

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Assessment

 History taking
 Physical Assessment

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Factors affecting the Validity of Assessment

1. Aging effects & presence of diseases

2. Cognitive impairments: confusion & dementia
3. Sensory deficits: visual & hearing
4. Affective disorders: depression
5. Presentation of Illness
 Under-reporting of illness
 Multiple interacting disease
 Atypical presentation of illness

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult

Techniques on How to Conduct an Assessment

1. Person doing the Assessment

2. The setting: Privacy & Comfort
3. Establishing rapport: Trust & respect
4. Communication techniques

NCM 114 – Care of the Older Adult