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Why is geriatric nursing a growing field of nursing practice?
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Nursing
A nurse uses a sphygmomanometer to check a patient's blood pressure.
Geriatric nursing is currently one of the fastest-growing areas of the nursing profession, primarily driven by significant demographic shifts.1
The growth of this field is largely attributed to the following factors:
- Aging Populations: In many developed nations, the proportion of elderly individuals is increasing rapidly. For instance, in the United States, the aging of the "baby boom" generation and rising life expectancies are expected to significantly increase the number of people over age 65.213
- Increased Health Care Utilization: Individuals over the age of 65 utilize more health care and nursing services than any other demographic group. Elderly patients often present with multiple chronic or incurable disorders, requiring more intensive and sustained attention from health-care services.12
- Broadened Scope of Care: Because of these demographic needs, generalist nurses are increasingly prepared to provide care across diverse settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and private residences.1
Specialized geriatric nurses focus on maintaining quality of life, managing complex medication regimens, and addressing the ethical challenges associated with frailty and vulnerability.1