Nurse Leaders and the Care of the Aged Essay

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Career Interest: Gerontology

The research topic of interest or priority is the identification of the skills and knowledge most critical to leaders of health care organizations, such as accountable care organizations, health care homes, medical homes, and clinics, specifically serving the aging population. In particular, this focuses on teamwork among nurse leaders, nurses and other healthcare professionals, current status of research work, the barriers in collaboration, inadequacies and proposed solutions to these inadequacies in order to increase healthcare professionals' ability to serve aging clients more productively. Gerontology is the science of aging and the problems of aging.

Current Status of Research

Studies now focus on the effects of lifestyle factors, physical and mental activity, social interactions, and nutrition on cognitive functions in the aging (Williams & Kemper, 2010). These studies are able to provide initial evidence that physical and mental activity, satisfying social support, and a balanced diet support cognitive functions in the aging. But specific factors, which positively influence cognitive changes in aging, need to be identified and isolated. The synergistic effects of approaches, consisting of combined cognitive and physical therapy, social interaction, and balanced nutrition, deserve diligent investigation (Williams & Kemper).

Inadequate Vitamin D and cognition have been linked by increasing studies (Annweller et al., 2015). The condition called hypovitaminosis D is common among those 65 years old and older who suffer from brain changes and dementia. A task force, consisting of international experts gathered to discuss the health issue. Using existing reports and their collective expertise, the members evolved key questions on the role of the vitamin in Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions. Then they discussed and voted on the questions through a Delphi-like scheme. They concluded by agreeing on five principles concerning and connecting vitamin D and cognition in older persons. But many issues remain undecided and unsolved.

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The task force's recommendations may need to be revised as new findings surface (Annweller).

Aging has been a global phenomenon that has remained uncontrolled (Dwyer, 2011). One critical response is the provision or improvement of residential care and services for older persons. The role of the nurse is once more critical in the clinical supervision and provision of care especially to this sector. Yet no systematic review has investigated nurses' level of leadership and management (Dwyer).

How Current Research Findings Impact Nurse Leaders in Organizations and Healthcare Reform

Nurse leaders and subordinate nurses make use of available knowledge derived from these findings that serve as standards of care, especially of the aged, in healthcare facilities and organizations and as basis for healthcare decisions and reforms. But they need to identify the factors, which really affect cognition in the elderly in order to provide precise care. So far, these factors have not been singled out. As to the link between Vitamin D and cognition in older adults, the rest of the issues identified by the task force of international experts should be promptly addressed and their recommendations adjusted to new findings. Nurse leaders must continue updating themselves and upgrading their decisions for care. And they depend on the most recent and official standards that proceed from new findings and new evidence. Of particular interest is the link between insufficient Vitamin D and cognition defects in the aged.

And the lack of systematic review on nurses' level of leadership and management is a serious issue that must also be addressed. The lack of precise of specific education or training in clinical leadership and management is a serious barrier. More specifically, there is no structured direction of training in leadership for nursing careers in geriatric care. These are areas that nurse leaders should be challenged.....

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