Functional Deterioration in the Elderly – Nursing Aspects / אובדן בתפקוד של הזקן: השלכות חברתיות, כלכליות ורפואיות – היבטים סיעודיים

A major role in geriatric nursing is to support and guide the elderly who suffer from functional deterioration in coping with activities of daily living. Based on Orem's theory of self-care this would involve three major aspects: 1. To help the aged person retain and fully utilize his present level of functions; 2. To provide a supportive environment in which the elderly person will be better able to help himself; 3. To provide nursing intervention to meet the elderly person's needs where they are beyond his functional level. Major concern of nursing is not only to enhance as far as possible patient's functioning, but also to aim for maximum quality of life for the individual and his important others. This includes involving the elderly in decision making and following his wishes and values as far as possible in preparing and implementing the care-plan.