Impact of Aging on the Rehabilitation of Older Adults

Presented by Kristen L. Mauk

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This course gives students an overview of the normal aging process and how this impacts rehabilitation of patients and families. Specific abnormalities common to advanced age are presented. Participants will learn to distinguish normalities versus abnormalities of aging. A brief review of geriatric syndromes--such as falls, polypharmacy, pressure injury, urinary incontinence, and delirium--is given, as these conditions relate to rehabilitation of the older adult. Psychosocial issues that impact rehabilitation outcomes in older adults are discussed.

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Meet your instructor

Kristen L. Mauk

Dr. Mauk has been a professor of nursing for many years. Prior to moving to Colorado, she served as nursing faculty at a large private university in Indiana for nearly 25 years, holding the first Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Science, a position dedicated to gerontological nursing. She earned a BSN from…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Normal Aging

1. Normal Aging

Rehabilitation nurses need to recognize the normal physiological changes that occur with aging in order to detect subtle abnormalities that might be seen in older rehabilitation patients. This chapter covers the normal physical changes with the aging process.

Common Abnormalities of Aging and Impact on Rehabilitation

2. Common Abnormalities of Aging and Impact on Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation nurses need to recognize common abnormalities that are often seen in older rehabilitation patients. This chapter briefly reviews common health conditions concomitantly seen in elderly rehabilitation patients and how they may impact the patient’s rehabilitation process.

Dealing with Geriatric Syndromes

3. Dealing with Geriatric Syndromes

Geriatric syndromes are those conditions that are not necessarily discrete diseases, but occur frequently in older adults. Issues such as falls, polypharmacy, pressure injuries, urinary incontinence and delirium are reviewed for their impact on the rehabilitation outcomes among older adults.