Change in health policy making will only come when nurses and nurse researchers themselves become policy leaders. This book is intended to help stimulate the reader to embrace the idea of shaping health policy through nursing research. It provides both a conceptual orientation to science/research shaping health policy as well as an operational approach to strategies for linking research to policy and influencing policy makers at the organizational, community, state, national, and international levels. The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, a set of chapters provide a context for science shaping policy, an introduction to models and strategies through which research can inform policy making, and an examination of the relationship of science policy to health policy. The three models that integrate evidence in the policy-making process, where research can be used to inform policy, are: data-driven policymaking, evidence-informed health policy, and the policy cycle ― moving from issue to policy. Understanding the association of public policy to science policy and science policy to programs of research and scholarship should be an expectation of active scientists and for scientist education. Part II outlines a series of nursing research programs that have had an impact on health policy at multiple levels. Separate chapters explore the translation of personal challenges to public policy, shaping HIV/AIDS prevention policy for the minorities, promotion of childhood health, improvement of end-of-life care, improvement of health outcomes and reduction of costs for chronically ill older adults, and saving lives and improving patient care outcomes. The third part summarizes the valuable lessons learned from senior nurse investigators recounting their experiences and addresses future directions for nursing research in shaping health policy.

This book provides the critical information gerontology nurses need to synthesize the health conditions affecting older adults with education about and access to vital community-based services. It discusses health delivery in regard to cultural diversity, the physical and psychological changes of aging and how to adapt to them, and different types of community-based health options including home health services, independent and assisted living, long-term care, and hospice and palliative care. The book first provides an overview of psychosocial-cultural health and the potential financial and mental drain that occurs when an aging family member loses independence. Then, it offers insight into a variety of theories about the physical and psychological changes of aging. The information progresses from the physical and physiological changes, to the signs and symptoms that reveal the approach of physical and mental decline. The book further provides key information about assistance and living options found in the community when decline is evident. Various optional living situations are described, including how much supportive care is actually provided by the facility or community. Clients and their personal health manager (family, friend, and/or case manager) need to be empowered to advocate for quality health care. There are tactful ways of addressing concerns, but if it appears that the concerns are not taken seriously, then it may be time to bring in backup and a list of concerns and expectations. Recreation therapy offers many health benefits for clients and caregivers.

This book attempts to build students’ understanding of policy development through a critical analysis and review of policy frameworks, and the policy implementation process. The book is organized into four parts comprising twenty-one chapters. Part one of this book lays out a background as to the current and future demographic trends of older adults and makes the case for the reader that there are a variety of philosophical, political, economic, and social factors that affect public policy development. The chapters help the reader to explore a range of perspectives that define, shape, and impact the development and implementation of public policy. It intends to prepare the reader to critically analyze public policies related to aging. Part two provides an overview to major federal policies and programs that impact older adults and people with disabilities. It examines some historical developments leading up to the actual development and implementation of the policies. Policies include social security, medicare, the Older Americans Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Community Mental Health Centers Act, and Freedom Initiative. The last part of the book outlines specific programmatic areas that flow from aging policies, and specific components that flow from federally mandated policies. Each chapter contains same basic outline: an overview of the programs, specific features and strengths of the programs, gaps and areas for development, and challenges for the future.

This book fulfills a substantial need among the gerontological nursing literature. It highlights a number of commonly occurring issues among older adults. The first section examines global issues that are important to quality of life (QOL). As in the entire book, each chapter opens with a case study, reviews the literature, and provides specific strategies for improving QOL for individuals and families. The cases showcase the experiences of older people as they struggle to maintain autonomy, dignity, and a sense of self amid the aging process and declining health. The chapters provide a lens through which to examine challenges of aging and strategies that may be implemented to promote QOL. The middle section of the book is organized around 15 chapters that direct the lens toward a number of environmental issues that impact the QOL of older adults. The cases contained in this section explore the experiences of older adults at home and in assisted living and nursing home environments. Evidence-based literature reviews enhance the discussion of care issues that impact older adults and their families. The authors of these chapters use clinical experience and the evidence to improve understanding of issues that impact the QOL of older adults across these multiple care environments. The final section of this book is organized around 12 chapters that may function as a clinical resource guide for clinicians. Cases are presented to improve clinical reasoning and improve understanding of issues that older adults encounter in preventing and managing acute and chronic disease states. Some of the chapters focus on commonly occurring medical issues; others explore less common health care conditions.

The book examines various theories of aging including a contrast between the strengths-based person-in-environment theory and the pathologically based medical model of psychological problems. It advocates truly engaging with the older client during the assessment phase, and discusses a variety of intervention modalities. The book integrates an advanced clinical social work practice with in-depth knowledge of evidence-based practice as well as geriatric medicine, psychiatry and gerontology. The social worker must evaluate the status of the client’s housing, transportation, food, clothing, recreation opportunities, social supports, access to medical care, kinship and other factors considered important by the social worker or the client. Constructivist theory is a conceptual framework that is foundational to existential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and narrative therapy, which are effective for older adults. Stigma associated with race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation produce psychosocial stressors that converge on older clients. The book discusses several medical conditions affecting older adults such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritic pain, diabetes and various types of cancers. Older adults may also suffer from substance abuse-related problems, hypersexuality, and various types of abuse such as neglect. The book also highlights the problems faced by the older adult LGBT community and those suffering from HIV disease. It ends with discussions on care and residential settings for the older adults, and palliative care and euthanasia.

Self-neglect is a global phenomenon and a serious public health issue. It is a poorly defined concept, which leads to challenges in identifying self-neglecting individuals as well as practical challenges in implementing interventions among health professionals, family members, and friends. This book is the first global, evidence-based resource that targets self-neglect and the important evidence-based interventions available to help older people in need. It is a road map for all clinicians and health care providers who come upon the complex and often heartbreaking phenomenon of self-neglect. The book is divided into twenty five chapters across six sections. Section I, Practical and Theoretical Perspectives, begins with a daughter profiling the progression of her mother’s condition over time to self-neglect from personal, social, and environmental perspectives, and describes self-neglect as the person’s inability or unwillingness to provide goods and services necessary to care for life’s needs. Section II, Issues Concerning the Self-Neglecting Individual, presents singular or multiple issues that either lead to or are a consequence of self-neglect such as mental health issues, delirium, hoarding, animal hoarding, farm animals and farmers, environmental neglect, and decision making. Section III, The Service Responds, details the response by health and social care professionals and agencies. Section IV, Research Evidence, profiles research evidence and delineate many lessons for health care professionals. Section V, Assessment and Measurement of Self-Neglect, presents methods of collecting and managing data on neglect and associated factors. The final section, Ethical and Education Issues, outlines the pedagogical demands placed on professional educators by the complex nature of self-neglect, and application of an ethical decision-making tool to a self-neglecting case.

This book is part of the Critical Topics in an Aging Society series. It serves as a catalyst in the technological transformation of aging services through organized presentation and evaluation of tools for a broad health care audience. Geriatrics interprofessional care is a fundamental part of older adult clinical practice modeled on a team approach inclusive of various fields, among them social work, pharmacy, nursing, rehabilitation, administration, and medicine. All clinicians who treat older adults, from the independent to the frail, are engaged in geriatrics team care which is continually adapting and evolving for individuals based on functional status changes, new treatment paradigms, and different settings of care. The need for advanced technology is clearly evident as one enters a hospital, nursing home, or geriatric care setting, including the patient’s home. Older adults have limited abilities to adapt to changes across these care locations, and thoughtfully implemented technology may eliminate these obstacles while providing safer, more enjoyable, and cost-effective care. The book presents some of the latest medical technological innovations and discusses options to help improve not only transitions of care, but also independence and quality of life for older adults. It is organized into four sections. The first section discusses current major challenges in aging and targets for technology, and promoting technology adoption and engagement in aging. The second section focuses on transitions of care and technology integration, home telehealth, and telemedicine and its effects on elder care in rural areas. Section three explores technology design for frailty, technology and cognitive impairment, advances in medication adherence technology, and technological advancements in pain management in elderly population. The final section describes personalized medicine and wearable devices, social robots and other relational agents to improve patient care, artificial intelligence and its potential to improve health, and advances in health education technology.

This book encompasses the wide range of injury and assault cases requiring the collection of forensic evidence in preparation for a legal case. This includes different types of sexual assault and violence, child maltreatment, elder maltreatment, bullying, interpersonal violence, gunshot wounds, community violence, human trafficking, terrorist acts, and mass disasters. With supporting case scenarios, the book describes step-by-step how to collect evidence and the proper procedure for handing over evidence once it is collected. The book is organized into four parts comprising eighteen chapters and begins with a brief description of history of forensic nursing. It also describes providing testimony in forensic cases and trauma-informed care. The book provides insight into some common and not-so common aspects of forensic nursing and how nurses in any setting can implement forensic nursing skills in delivering optimal care to patients. Forensic nursing is a growing nursing field blending nursing science with forensic science, law, and criminology. Forensic nurses trained in this field gather findings such as documenting injuries, collecting biological fluids, and preserving evidence such as clothing from the assault.

Social work has a long-standing commitment to healthcare and the recognition of the inextricable link to quality of life and well-being across the lifespan. This book emphasizes the critical importance of health for all members of society and the significant role of social work in the field. It presents essential information about health and social work critical to understanding today’s complex health care systems and policies. The book is intended as a core text for masters of social work (MSW) and advanced bachelor of social work (BSW) courses on health and social work, social work and health care, health and wellness, social work practice in health care, and integrative behavioral health taught in social work, public health, and gerontology. The book is organized into three parts containing 18 chapters. The first chapter describes the role of social work in healthcare. The second chapter discusses ethics and values in healthcare social work. The next three chapters present social determinants of health, intersectionality, and social work assessment. Chapter six discusses health promotion and public health. Chapter seven presents integrated behavioral healthcare. Chapter eight describes substance misuse, abuse, and substance-related disorders. Chapters nine and ten discuss palliative care, end-of-life care, correctional healthcare, and psychosocial care. Chapter 11 describes children and family health. Chapter 12 explores healthcare and work with older adults and their caregivers. Chapters 13 to 15 delve on immigrants and refugee health, health and HIV/AIDS, and LGBTQ health. Chapters 16 and 17 describe healthcare and disability, and healthcare and serving veterans. The final chapter discusses future direction of healthcare and social work.

This textbook has been developed for introductory courses in gerontology, as well as other courses with gerontology components. Gerontology is multifaceted and interdisciplinary. By necessity, it encompasses a broad range of subjects including psychology, sociology, architecture, biology, communications, economics, education, humanities, law, medicine, nursing, political science, public administration and policy, public health, public safety, social work, and vocational skills. Indeed, gerontology encompasses every academic discipline that in some way relates to the lives of older people in contemporary America. The book is divided into six parts. Part I focuses on the longevity dividend and the importance of mobilizing all sectors of the society to realize the opportunities and address the challenges of an aging society. Part II deals with physical and mental well-being. It discusses in detail the following: physical changes and the aging process; health and wellness for older adults; mental health, cognitive abilities, and aging; sexuality and aging; and death, dying, and bereavement. Part III focuses on economic and social aspects of aging. It focuses on economics, work, and retirement, explores family, friends, and social networks of older adults and discusses how older adults contribute to their communities and how they receive support. Part IV focuses on formal support systems. It discusses in detail the following: older adults giving and receiving support; medical conditions, assisted living, and long-term care; and medicare, medicaid, and medications. Part V focuses on Americans at risk for poor economic and health outcomes as they age — women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. It also describes elder abuse and highlights its consequences. Part VI explores the many career opportunities within the field of gerontology and explains how the study of aging can be applied to any position in any field.

The ability to reduce the burden of illness among older adults is necessary as individuals are living longer and experiencing lower rates of disability. Advanced practice nurses are skilled to relieve the burden of illness among older adults through specialized training and providing treatment in a variety of clinical settings. While geriatric-focused content exists, advanced practice nurses can benefit from clinical pearls specific for the advanced practice nurse providing holistic mental health care. This handbook offers advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, and graduate nursing students a reference that is intended to be supplemental to uniquely providing care for older adults which includes an overview of the aging process as well as assessing and developing treatment plans for older adults with mental health disorders. As older adults often work collaboratively with family, friends, caregivers, and health care providers, approaches to such relationships are explored and intended to serve as a resource for providing mental health care that can contribute to the overall success of treatment. The text provides an interprofessional box that encourages and assists the advanced practice nurse navigating through interdisciplinary collaborative practice. Such interprofessional partnerships can enhance care—particularly in cases of complexity. Advanced practice nurses can utilize the provided case studies to identify and modify service delivery that promotes evidence based practice.

The concept of justice is deeply entrenched in America’s psyche. This book assumes that advocates for older people can increase their effectiveness by achieving a clearer understanding of Americans’ not-so- self-evident nor inalienable rights. It explores how social justice and human rights principles have applied to older adults in the past and are viewed today. It examines how the interests of older adults compare to and are intertwined with those of other groups. In essence, the book frames elder justice as the intersection between aging policy and policy that promotes human rights and justice. Chapters two through five describes historical antecedents and precedents for elder justice and suggests how human rights and social justice principles have been embedded in what has traditionally been referred to as “aging policy”. These chapters look at other policies that significantly affect older people but do not fall under that rubric. They further explore ageism and its role in policy. Taken together, they offer two models or approaches that can guide the development of elder justice: the public health model and proposals for an international convention on the rights of older people. Chapters six through ten considers how elder justice principles can be applied. As examples, they focus on how individual rights and social justice apply to elder abuse prevention, to the justice system, in the consumer context, at the end of life, and with respect to people with diminished mental capacity. They also look at equity across generations and among older people. Chapter eleven calls for a new paradigm of elder justice and offers a rationale for why one is needed. Chapter twelve builds on other chapters to demonstrate how elder justice might translate into practice, training, policy, public awareness and engagement, and research.

This book provides health care professionals with the essential preparation towards translation of health care policy aims and structure into realities of patient care and community health needs. It provides the background knowledge, frameworks, and principles through which the adequacy of alternative health care system financing strategies can be analyzed. The book is divided into eight chapters. The book begins with a primer on alternative theories of social justice and their implications for the principles of just health care policy. This first chapter considers the moral foundations of rights to health care in accordance with five alternative social justice frameworks: Libertarianism, Utilitarianism, Marxism, Liberalism, and the Capabilities Approach. The next four chapters then provide a descriptive and critical analysis of the history of the U.S. health care system, the contemporary organization of health care with respect to health care financing and health care services, and long-term care of the aged and disabled. The next two chapters provide an analysis of health care disparities and the theoretical frameworks that inform our understanding of the social determinants of disparities in health and health care. The final chapter then provides a political and principled analysis of health care reform, with particular attention to the policy aims and structure of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and legislation that has been proposed and might plausibly be enacted to replace it. The book concludes with a health care financing framework that would be in keeping with both the demands of justice as pertains to a social right to health care and the unique social and political context of the U.S. health care system. It is an ideal text for graduate courses in health care policy and disparities, the U.S. health care system in schools of social work, public health, nursing, medicine, and public policy and administration.

This book makes a timely and essential contribution to professional training and is a welcome resource for those dedicated to improving long-term care services for older adults. It reflects the way society views the growing elderly population and the implications of this demographic trend for the field of long-term care. Long-term care continues to be the fastest growing segment of the healthcare industry; there is a critical need to educate and train a core of professional personnel with the knowledge and skills to address the complex issues in aging, health, and human services. The book aims to provide a useful reference of content information, effective practices, and model programs in elder care related to assisted living/residential care (AL/RC) administration. Similar to the first edition, this book is based on the core competencies required to operate assisted living communities. It contains five parts; each part focuses on a core competency in assisted living administration such as organizational management, human resources management, business and financial management, environmental management, and resident care management. The book embraces chapter features such as useful learning objectives, case studies, effective practices, and model programs in elder care that are relevant to assisted living communities. New chapters in this edition address topics such as inter-professional practice; home- and community-based services; information and communication technology; LGBTQ and other diverse groups; memory care; and palliative and hospice care. Importantly, the book is based on core competencies required to operate assisted living communities, and each of its five parts focuses on a core competency (i.e., domain of practice). The book serves as a useful reference for professionals who are associated with AL/RC organizations. It can also function as a primary textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in gerontology, health administration, and long-term care administration that focus on assisted living/residential care administration.

This second edition of the book, like the first, provides an overview of major issues associated with societal and global aging, paralleling the structure of many introductory social gerontology textbooks. Unlike most existing textbooks in the field, however, the discussion of each topic in this work is explicitly comparative, focusing on similarities and variations in the aging experience across nations, religions, and levels of economic and social development. The comparative perspective is enhanced further by topical essays and country-specific descriptions of aging policies, programs, and experiences. The book also introduces in this edition several important innovations not found in the previous version. First, the authors have dropped two chapters (The Welfare State and Disability and Active Life Expectancy), incorporating their content elsewhere. In addition, they split three earlier chapters (Health and Health Care Systems; Work and Retirement; and Families, Caregiving, and Community Support Systems) into two new chapters each, so now the authors include six separate chapters: Health Beliefs and Behavior, Health Care, Older Workers, Retirement and Pensions, Family Life, and Caregiving. Finally, because the first edition neglected two topics crucial to the lives of older people—physical environments and religion—the authors have added an entirely new chapter devoted to each. As for the first edition, the intended audiences remain students in undergraduate and graduate courses in global aging and their faculty. In addition, many of the topics addressed will also be of interest to faculty and students in undergraduate and graduate courses in the demography of aging and sociology of aging, as well as courses in gerontology taught with a comparative, international focus. The authors hope that it will serve to focus the attention of all gerontologists on the growth and value of the research and teaching going on in countries outside the United States and Europe.

This book provides innovative ways to incorporate aging content into courses, trainings, and workshops for students or professionals. It presents activities which offer hands-on approaches to engage students of all backgrounds–from social workers to family caregivers, medical students to demographers, nurses to community planners, personal care attendants to students in introduction to gerontology courses. These faculty-tested, peer-reviewed educational activities cover topics ranging from physical aging, media, and demographic portrayals of older adults to disaster planning, public policy, and diversity among older adults. The book includes 32 unique and interesting activities. Each activity comes with detailed instructions, basic back-ground information, a materials list, and an explanation of how the specific content aligns with one or more of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) competencies for undergraduate and graduate education in gerontology. The book is divide into eleven chapters. The first chapter explores teaching courses on aging, and the potential of experiential learning activities to engage students. The second chapter discusses ageism and aging in the media. The next four chapters talk about dementia, demography, health care, and housing for older adults. The seventh chapter describes physical aging. Chapter 8 analyzes public policy and aging. Chapter 9 describes positive interactions with older adults. Chapter 10 explains research projects and papers, and the final chapter discusses spirituality.

The first edition of Fast Facts for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner book is created specifically for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) students and new hires as well as for NPs who are changing positions or moving to a new organization. This book presents critical information at the NP’s fingertips for quick reference in clinical settings. It is designed to be kept in the pocket of a lab coat or handy on a computer on wheels and to be used during clinical rotations and in everyday practice. AG-ACNPs can use the book as review material for exams, a reference in clinical or simulation settings, writing case studies, and applying to patient care while in practice. It is unique in that it provides many tables and charts to provide large amounts of data in a condensed format. The book is designed to be a quick reference with helpful information in an easy-to-access format. It has quick tips on medication dosing, ordering diagnostic tests, documentation, and billing. Most importantly, many fine nuances and quick tips for each body system are included. While the AG-ACNP program provides a solid foundation, many important details cannot be memorized and take time and repetition to engrain into daily practice. To apply the concepts in the book, one requires a broader and deeper understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnoses, and treatments of diverse acute, acute on chronic, and critical care conditions.

Women have unique biopsychosocial factors that make them more vulnerable to mental illness. Many of these mental illnesses can elicit enormous physical, emotional, financial, and social barriers. This is books serves as a quick-access clinical guide to the range of mental health issues and diagnoses that commonly affect women across the life span. The book is divided into four sections. The first section deals with the role of cultural competence in mental health and the various types of violence such as sexual assault, rape and stalking perpetrated on women. It emphasizes key stressors specific to women that are precursors to mental illness. The second section looks at the mental disorders affecting special populations among women including girl children and adolescent females, and aged women. Disorders for other unique populations such as disabled women, lesbian and transgendered women, female veterans, women with forensic health concerns, and women who have been the object of violence are also discussed here. In the third section, chapters address childbearing issues, including menstruation-related problems, infertility and its psychological implications, and antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum psychological disorders. The final section of the book is devoted to the discussion of the various psychiatric issues common to women: anxiety disorders; mood disorders; eating disorders; personality disorders; psychotic disorders; sleep disorders; substance abuse disorders; grief and loss; schizophrenia; and sexual dysfunction.

The long-term care administrative profession has not received the attention that it requires to train future leaders for what likely lies ahead, and that needs to change. This book comes at a critical moment when demographics are changing rapidly. Millions of Americans are turning 75 years old every year, and many will need care, services, and supports. Skilled nursing facilities have become small hospitals. Assisted living communities are offering services more like the nursing homes of the past. The multitude of community and home-based services has grown exponentially, making it possible for older adults to remain in their homes longer. The book provides basic tools for successfully leading senior living organizations with a purposeful emphasis on the importance of exercising sound executive judgment and using the right tools for the job. It follows the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards’ (NAB) current approach in describing the knowledge and skills covered. The book is divided into three sections. Section one provides an overview of the senior living field today. Section two addresses the nuts and bolts of operating the nonclinical support systems. Section three spreads the final NAB domain over the rest of the chapters, tying together theory and practical application with an intentional emphasis on leadership. Inserted throughout the chapters are relevant insights and recommendations shared by many of the profession’s most highly respected and accomplished leaders. The authors intend for this book to serve as much more than a study guide for preparing to pass a licensure examination. The chief goal of the book is to provide relevant guidance to both those entering the field and those wishing to strengthen their credentials and career options, to equip them with tools for remaining nimble in a field that is becoming more complex at increasing speed.

This book is a gift back to all the staff nurses, nurse leaders, nurse educators, and system leaders who have helped us think deeply about what it means to provide excellent care to older adults. Its goal is to tell the story of how Nurses Improving Care to the Hospitalized elderly evolved into the national and international program it is today and what some of the essential elements are to ensure program success. The book consists of twenty chapters. The book provides the historical underpinnings of the program and the nurse leaders who helped conceptualize and shape the program. It describes the approach to Nurses Improving Care for Healthcare System Elders (NICHE) and how the geriatric institutional assessment profile along with a readiness assessment for the geriatric resource nurses and assurance of leader ship support are crucial to have in place at the outset of the program. Careful assessment, person-centered care, planning, and reliable follow-through with the geriatric syndromes most likely to create difficulties for older people are at the heart of the program. The book relates to the business proposition for NICHE and how external regulations and consumers are central to refinement of the program on an ongoing basis. The international context is exceptionally important as one’s world becomes more and more integrated in one practice approaches and concepts. As global demography shifts toward older adults, every older person in their family should expect and demand age-friendly healthcare. NICHE is the backbone of an age-friendly health system and the very special vignettes provided by nurses who have traveled the geriatric resource nurse journey are inspiring.

This third edition, has been written as a reference and certification test review guide for registered nurse (RNs) preparing for gerontological certification. It is also a useful text for students who are studying gerontology, teachers preparing gerontology classes, and RNs working with older adults. The book presents information about preparing for the certification exam, a comprehensive compilation of content specific to gerontology, and a test bank of questions specifically developed for the RN preparing for certification in gerontology. It focuses on topics specific to the aging population, such as demographics, myths about aging, theories of aging and nursing, communication skills geared for the older adult, teaching–learning principles that work well with older adults, and the history of gerontological nursing. The book identifies the health promotion needs of elders, such as nutrition, exercise, primary and secondary prevention strategies, and alternative and complementary healthcare practices used with older adults. It describes the environment, including safety and security, relocation, transportation, the importance of space, community-based resources, and residential facilities. It discusses spirituality and dying with special attention to advance directives, hospice and palliative care, and the grieving process. The book describes the acute and chronic physical illnesses most frequently experienced by older adults and discusses the cognitive and psychological disorders experienced by elders, including dementia, delirium, and depression. It covers common medications used by older adults, as well as discussions about polypharmacy, issues related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, noncompliance, and adverse drug effects. It also discusses special topics such as pain, sexuality, and elder neglect and abuse, and covers descriptions of health policy issues and organizations that advocate for older adults. The book finally discusses the scope and standards of geriatric nursing practice relating to leadership and management, research, ethical and legal issues, and professional competency.

This book serves as the pillar for clinical care teams to improve health equity among homeless older adults. Interdisciplinary care teams are essential in complex homeless older population clinical practice, as all disciplines must work together to address medical, surgical, behavioral, nutritional, and social determinants of health. All clinicians who treat older adults, from the independent to the frail, should approach problem solving via an inclusive approach that includes social work, pharmacy, nursing, rehabilitation, administrative, and medicine inputs. The social determinants of health that contribute to the complexities of clinical care outcomes cannot be addressed within silos. The book reflects a holistic care model to assist clinicians in the complicated homeless population that is continuing to change in the instability of the homeless environment. The book is divided into 14 chapters. The chapters in are organized by problems most commonly faced by clinicians in servicing homeless populations: mental, social, medical, and surgical challenges. Chapter one presents definition and background of geriatric homelessness. Chapter two discusses chronic mental health issues (psychosis) in the geriatric homeless. Chapters three and four describe neurocognitive disorders, depression, and grief in the geriatric homeless population. The next two chapters explore ethical, legal, housing and social issues in the geriatric homeless. Chapters seven and eight discuss infectious diseases in homeless geriatrics population. Chapter nine is on cardiovascular disease in homeless older adults. Chapter 10 describes care of geriatric diabetic homeless patients. Chapter 11 discusses geriatric nutrition and homelessness. Chapter 12 presents barriers and applications of medication therapy management in the homeless population. Chapter 13 describes dermatologic conditions in the homeless population. Finally, the book addresses end-of-life considerations in homelessness and aging.

This book provides a comprehensive and concise visual reference on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) seen in children and adults. It addresses all aspects of AML and ALL including their risk factors, cytogenetics and mutational characteristics, diagnoses, clinical management and prognoses which are imperative and challenging for medical students, residents, hematology and medical oncology fellows, and even community oncologists and hematologists. The book focuses on issues surrounding the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and overall management in both pediatric and elderly patients; psychosexual issues that arise as a consequence of both the disease and treatment; and the complex field involving the development, approval and regulatory aspects of new treatment strategies. It stimulates readers to develop new and refreshing concepts that, in turn, could lead to cures and enhanced quality of life for children and adults suffering from acute leukemias. The book contains over 40 tables and over 220 illustrations, histologic photomicrographs, flow diagrams, graphs, and schemata with detailed figure legends. The result is a visually engaging book that is easy to read, review, and remember. The book also provides helpful and evidence-based treatment recommendations when providing induction therapy, consolidation therapy, and bone marrow transplantation.

This book is compilation of everything that nursing students and new nurses need to know about care of the older adult. The book contains 21 chapters concerning gerontology nursing care with each chapter presenting narrative sections that address different aspects of the topic. Chapter 1 starts with the critically important policies that every nurse should know when working with older adults. Such things as advance directives, health care decision making, use of physical restraints, issues about driving, and iatrogenesis are reviewed. The second chapter focuses on the many losses that commonly occur with aging, such as the death of a spouse, and the end-of-life issues. While Chapter 3 covers the issues of neglect and abuse, both physical and financial, chapter 4 is about the challenging psychosocial issues encountered in geriatrics: depression and participation in risky behaviors. The fifth chapter reviews the individual and family dynamics affecting older adults, which is followed by a discussion on male and female sexual issues. Chapters 7 through 14 review more traditional clinical problems and cover the sensory, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, and genitourinary systems and the changes that occur with aging. While chapter 15 deals with health and nutrition, Chapter 16 provides some general tips on chemotherapy and provides case studies on cancer and HIV and hospice. After addressing cognitive impairment in the elderly, the book provides an overview of cultural sensitivity and provides an example of how to optimally manage a Hispanic patient. The last three chapters deal with pain management, sleep disorders and the issues affecting the family of the aged.

Nurses are working with older adults in virtually every care setting and facing the challenges of integrating gerontological nursing knowledge and skills into their practice. This book provides core knowledge that equips nurses to differentiate normal from abnormal findings, understand the unique presentation and management of diseases, and integrate unique age-specific considerations into care planning and implementation with older adults. The book is divided into three parts. Part I lays a basic foundation of the characteristics of the older population and general considerations in applying the nursing process to gerontological care. The normal characteristics and major diseases affecting various body systems and mental function in late life are presented in Part II. The body systems under consideration include cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, musculoskeletal system, neurological system and others. Age-related changes are described, along with guidance on assessing each system and mental status. Part III offers facts and nursing tips on spirituality, improving functional ability, promoting safety, fostering family health, ensuring safe use of medications, protecting older adults’ legal rights, reducing legal risks, and supporting individuals through the dying process by providing end of life care. Unique aspects and challenges of caring for older adults in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and other settings are also reviewed.

This book provides the experienced clinician and the novice the information needed to provide outstanding clinical care to the person who has limb loss. It addresses the needs of a wide range of clinicians and trainees, including physicians, prosthetists, and therapists. The book is divided into five parts. Part I provides the reader with the anatomy of the lower extremity and the kinesiology of human gait, surgical principles of amputation, patient assessment, and rehabilitation. Subsequent chapters address the design and function of lower extremity prosthetic sockets and components and the various types of prostheses. Specific chapters are devoted to prosthetic management of the various levels of limb loss from partial foot to hip disarticulation. Part II is similar to Part I and is devoted to the less common and often more challenging case of an upper extremity amputation and prosthetic restoration. Chapters in the third part address several topics such as the psychosocial impact of limb loss, sexuality, sports, and recreation as well as return to the community. The third part also addresses the complications an individual may face that are unique to his or her disability and a part of everyday life. Pain management, skin problems, and musculoskeletal problems are addressed. Individuals with special needs such as a person with multiple limb loss, children, aging adults, and cancer patients are given special attention in Part IV. The final portion of the book looks into the future of what prosthetic and robotic research might hold for the person with limb loss including upper extremity limb loss.

Long-term care (LTC) involves a continuum of care required to meet the differential needs of older adults. This book provides multifaceted insights to address the ever-changing world of the LTC industry, and contains effective practices and quality programs in eldercare. It provides the necessary tools and tips to maximize the quality of care and quality of life for older adults living in LTC communities. The book covers the most crucial aspects of management, including federal and/or state regulations overseeing the operation of LTC facilities. It offers advice on care at home, naturally occurring retirement communities, and continuing-care retirement communities; client care, staff retention, preventing elder abuse and neglect, and anticipating and managing litigation and arbitration in LTC; aging and human diversity, Alzheimer’s disease, palliative care, and care transitions; and much more. This book consists of 3 parts and 18 chapters. Each chapter includes helpful pedagogical features such as learning objectives, an introduction, case studies, effective practices, and/or model programs in eldercare that are useful in the administration of LTC communities, as well as a chapter summary and references. Figures and/or tables are used when warranted. The book will serve as a helpful reference for professionals who are associated with Leading Age California, the American College of Healthcare Administrators, the American Society of Aging, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, the Gerontological Society of America, and other aging and LTC administration organizations.

This book provides a tool kit for helping professions responding to vulnerable populations and preparing populations prior to a disaster. Some populations are more vulnerable to the effects of a disaster than others, making it more difficult for them to prepare, evacuate, shelter, respond, and recover in the event of a disaster or emergency. Considering the needs of these groups requires special knowledge essential to preparedness, response, and recovery planning. In circumstances where there is mass evacuation, such as during Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, there is always frequent media coverage of large-scale evacuations, including evacuation of medical facilities and nursing homes. Those with chronic medical conditions and older adults are two of the many categories worthy of consideration. Vulnerable populations also include pregnant women, prisoners, the homeless, those with functional mental health issues or addiction issues, those with transportation issues, persons in poverty, minorities, persons who are obese, and those who have special supervision needs. Socioeconomic status (SES) has recently been recognized as a significant vulnerability factor. Evacuation can also be an issue for those of a lower SES due to limited financial resources. Dealing with persons with substance abuse and dependency is one of the most neglected areas in the literature involving empirical evidence and guidelines for appropriate response in a disaster. Developing appropriate guidelines and interventions presents a thorny set of problems for both addicted individuals and emergency responders. A final consideration is the role of pets in disaster recovery. Those who engage in disaster preparedness and response with vulnerable populations should be aware of the characteristics that make those populations vulnerable and make special considerations during planning, response, and recovery. The book highlights some of those characteristics, providing responders with necessary guidelines to assess and intervene with those who are especially vulnerable.

This “Handbook of Geriatric Oncology” arrives at an optimal time for the practicing physician, as the number of older adults with cancer is on a steep rise globally. Care of the older patient with cancer is now the “bread and butter” of not only oncologists and geriatricians, but also primary care providers, subspecialists, and members of the multidisciplinary team. The book weaves together the best practices from geriatrics and oncology in order to optimize the care of older adults with cancer. First, this Handbook describes how to assess the older adult and gain a better understanding of the patient’s “functional age” rather than just the chronological age. Second, it provides insight into these patients’ unique areas of physiologic, functional, and social vulnerability, and suggests interventions to help the patient. Third, this Handbook summarizes cutting-edge data that inform best practices in the care of older adults with cancer. Last, and most important, this Handbook suggests how to communicate these findings to a patient. This book is divided into nine sections. The first section gives an overview of Geriatric Oncology. The second section describes Geriatric Syndromes. The third section deals with Geriatric Assessment. The fourth section focuses on Select cancers in the elderly. The fifth section talks about Communication with the older cancer patient. The next three sections review the Nursing home patient with cancer, Models of care: Survivorship and Palliative Care. The final section is an overview of Integrative Medicine. This integration of knowledge and skill sets results in a collaborative informed decision that is in line with the patient’s goals and preferences, maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of cancer therapy.

The issues evoked by an aging world pose new challenges with regard to employment, health, retirement, families, and the economy. Societies respond to these challenges in varying ways and these responses can be subsumed under the rubric of social policies. Human rights apply to everyone; they do not diminish with age. This book discusses many of the key issues and concerns confronting older adults in the United States and the policies formulated to deal with them. The ways in which these policies reflect human rights is key in each chapter. The first chapter presents the background on social policy and human rights and how they pertain to and impact older adults. The second chapter focuses on the Older Americans Act (OAA), the foundation of aging policy in the United States, as well as on the federal government involvement by discussing the White Housing conferences on aging. While the third chapter addresses economic supports for older adults, the fourth chapter examines policies associated with liberty and security. The fifth and sixth chapters discuss physical and mental health, and focus on employment and the workplace. This is followed by a discussion on the social policy and the family and by examining how policy relates to vulnerable populations of older adults. The penultimate chapter of the book explores the ways in which various countries are developing policies for their older population and how these reflect human rights. The last chapter looks at the future policy challenges that must be met in order to ensure that rights of older adults are addressed.

This book provides a concise and practical resource to assist in real-time, clinical decision making for managing lung cancer. The first two chapters deal with epidemiology and etiology of lung cancer, lung carcinogenesis, lung cancer genetics, epigenetics, and tumor microenvironment. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is associated with a 20% to 40% increase in lung cancer risk. The third chapter provides an overview of several of the driver oncogenes that are important in the pathogenesis of non–small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and have emerged as targets for therapeutic approaches. The advent of molecular profiling and targeted therapy renewed interest in the distinguishing between the major subtypes of NSCLC: adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) and large cell lung carcinoma (LCLC). The fourth and fifth chapters deal with screening and diagonosis of lung cancer. This is followed by four chapters which describe the management of early stage, locally advanced stage, advanced stage, and recurrent NSCLC, and their respective treatment therapies such as video-assisted thoracic surgery, robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, sequential induction chemotherapy, necitumumab, maintenance therapy, and sequential single-agent therapy. Chapters 10 and 11 discuss the management of limited-stage and extensive-stage small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and the treatment therapies. Lung cancer is a disease of the elderly, and accordingly chapter 13 covers the management of elderly and high-risk patients suffering from this disease. This is followed by a focus on the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NET), pleural mesothelioma, and thymic tumors. The book ends with a discussion on palliative care in thoracic oncology.