Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on the healthcare needs of older adults, especially as they develop chronic conditions or age-related health challenges. It emphasizes not just treatment, but also prevention, quality of life, and maintaining functional independence in older populations.
While geriatrics focuses on clinical care, it is closely related to gerontology, which is the broader study of the aging process, including social, psychological, and biological aspects.
Why Geriatrics Matters
As the population ages, the need for specialized care for older adults continues to grow. Geriatric care considers how aging impacts disease presentation, medication response, and overall health outcomes.
Nurses and providers trained in geriatrics are equipped to manage complex care plans, address multiple conditions at once, and promote safe transitions across care settings.
Common Concepts in Geriatric Care
Geriatrics introduces several core clinical and ethical considerations into healthcare, including:
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) – A full evaluation of an older adult’s medical, functional, cognitive, and social needs
- Geriatric Syndromes – Conditions like falls, incontinence, frailty, or delirium that don’t fit neatly into one disease category
- Polypharmacy – Managing multiple medications safely to avoid harmful drug interactions
- Functional Status – Assessing the patient’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs)
- Advance Care Planning – Helping patients clarify goals of care, often involving advance directives
Where Geriatric Nurses Work
Geriatric nurses and nurse practitioners may work in a variety of settings, including:
- Long-term care or skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living communities
- Acute care hospitals
- Geriatric outpatient clinics
- Home health and hospice care
- Transitional or rehabilitation centers
These roles often require collaboration with other providers, case managers, social workers, and family caregivers to deliver coordinated care.
Geriatrics in Nursing Education
Students in WCU’s online RN to MSN, MSN, or Post-Master’s Certificate programs can choose a specialization that focuses on geriatric populations:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specializations:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specializations:
The AGACNP and AGPCNP tracks are designed to prepare nurses to care for aging adults with complex health needs across acute and primary care settings. For a deeper look, read our blog post exploring adult-gerontology nurse practitioner roles.
FAQs About Geriatrics
What age is considered “geriatric”?
While there’s no fixed age, geriatrics typically focuses on individuals aged 65 and older, especially those with multiple chronic conditions or complex care needs.
Is geriatrics only about end-of-life care?
No. While geriatrics includes support for advanced illness, it also focuses on prevention, health maintenance, mobility, and independence.
How is geriatrics different from adult nursing?
Geriatric care considers age-related factors such as frailty, cognitive decline, and medication sensitivity, which are often less prominent in younger adult populations.
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