Gerontological nursing roles within the Southeastern Regional Geriatric Program.

This paper looks at the varied roles of Registered Nurses (RNs) within the Southeastern Regional Geriatric Program (SERGP) and how these nursing roles influence client care across the continuum of services. More specifically, this paper describes the clinical services of the SERGP, the roles of RNs within these services, and the principles and dimensions of geriatric nursing assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. The aim of this article is to promote recognition of the complex and stimulating work of RNs in gerontology.

Promoting positive outcomes for elderly persons in the hospital: prevention and risk factor modification.

The hospitalized elderly are at an increased risk for poor outcomes such as increased length of stay, readmissions, functional decline, and iatrogenic complications, as compared with other age groups. Research related to the hospitalized elderly has identified factors associated with poor outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare team members may be able to identify elderly patients at risk for poor outcomes and target modifiable factors to minimize their negative impact.