Geriatrics/Retirement Facilities

Those who specialize in elder care may work on medical/surgical, geriatric, or psycho-geriatric units at acute-care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care centers, or nursing or retirement homes. They may also work in home care.

Healthcare professionals working in these areas include nurses (registered nurses, LVNs, LPNs, aides), gerontologists, therapists (respiratory, physical, occupation, recreational), social workers, mental health professionals, dieticians, and pharmacists.

People who work in geriatric/retirement settings (obviously) must like working with the elderly, some of whom may be quite healthy, while others may be physically frail and/or mentally incapacitated. Some may be palliative-care patients.

Frequently used nursing skills/procedures include: ongoing assessments, case coordination, IV starts, wound care, managing tube feeds, inserting/managing catheters, and health teaching.

For some articles about people working with the elderly or palliative care patients, see A Window By the Elevator, The Gift, To an Alzheimer's Patient, The Nurse, A Price Worth Paying?, and The Final Journey.

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