The Gerontological Nursing Association

Your aging I.Q

Test your knowledge by going through the following slides

Intelligence declines with ageTrue or False

False – Aging itself produces no decline in mental functioning

Most people maintain their intellect, or actually improve, as they grow older

In their late 70’s there may be some loss of short-term memory

May take somewhat longer to learn something new

Slower reaction times – does not impact ability to reason and function well

Most Older Adults limit their travel to be closer to home – True or False

False – seniors are even more likely to travel abroad than younger adults

Canadian airlines have noticed a marked increase in the number of senior travelers in the last five years.

B.C.'s Blackcomb Mountain has recorded a 20% increase in the number of senior skiers.

Older adults have interest in, or capacity for, sexual relations – True or False

True – Our society associates sexuality with youth however the majority of older adults continue to have the interest and capacity for satisfying sexual relations well into their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s

Methods of expressing sexual feelings may change with age

Opportunities may decrease due to loss of a partner, physical changes, living arrangements … but interest does not

Seniors have the lowest income of all adult groups – True or False

True – 19% of all seniors have low incomes However, the 2006 National Advisory Council

on Aging Report Card indicates that the overall economic status for seniors has improved

But … older women, especially those who are single and/or widowed, are more likely to live on a low income and are at a much higher risk of living below the poverty line

Most people will develop dementia if they live long enough – True or False

False – dementia is not a normal part of aging

Alzheimer Disease is the most common form of dementia

1 in 20 Canadians over the age of 65 are affected by AD

1 in 100 between ages of 65-74 1 in 14 between ages of 75-84 1 in 4 over age of 85

(ON Seniors Secretariat Aging Quiz)

Questioning an older adult’s ability to think and problem-solve is ageist? True or False

True – Ageism is a negative attitude and /or misconception about the older adult, such as all older people are confused and can’t think clearly

We need to consider how our actions may be ageist Rationalizing or discounting concerns as not as

important may reflect an ageist attitude Questioning the older adult because we are not sure

how reliable their memory is – ageist Treating the older adult like a child – again ageist The Ontario Human Rights Commission notes abuse

of older adults is in large part due to negative attitudes toward older people

Statistically Speaking …

What has been the % increase in those reaching the age of 100 from 1990 to 2000?

10% 25% 35% 35%

What % of the older adult population lives in an institution?

7% 15% 25% 7%

(32% of those are over the age of 85)

The Age Wave in Ontario

By 2031 22% of the population will be over the age of 65 (3.6 million)

In 2005 12.8% of the population was over the age of 65 (1.6 million)

Ministry of Finance –Ontario Population Update - 2006

BabyBaby BoomersBoomers begin to begin to

turn 65 in turn 65 in 20112011

Will we be Will we be ready to ready to provide the provide the quality care quality care and services?and services?

So… Who are we?

The Gerontological Nursing Association of Ontario serves a membership of over 1200 Gerontological Nurses in 9 chapters spanning the province of Ontario.

Our Mission - To advocate for a high standard of nursing care and related health services for older persons and to promote professionalism in gerontological nursing practice through ongoing education, research, and support for members

We believe that …

each older person is unique the ability to function and maintain independence

and mastery is essential for older persons sustaining relationships facilitates older persons

in coping with health care experiences Gerontological nursing practice is derived from a

specific and evolving body of knowledge As gerontological nurses we must advocate on

behalf of the older adult

What is Gerontological Nursing?

It is about Making a difference

It is about caring

We provide creative, compassionate and individualized care

We incorporate the concepts of prevention, rehabilitation and palliation

It is about Quality of Life

In the community, in hospitals, in long term care

We promote optimal health in older persons

Each has values, goals, strengths, limitations, rights and responsibilities

Each older person influences, and is influenced by societal attitudes, culture, spiritual beliefs and the environment

It is about recognizing thateach older person is unique

It is about maximizing independence

We identify strengths, and work to enhance and maintain these

We identify limitations and provide support as needed

It is about being person-centred

We promote mutual goal setting and decision making among older persons, family and nurse

We encourage and provided opportunity for the older person to exercise rights and responsibilities

It is about respect and dignity

We respect the older person’s need for dignity and privacy

More About Us

The GNA was established in 1974 in Toronto Incorporated in 1979 - non-profit association Governed by our by-laws and board policies We are an affiliate group with the RNAO Our membership is comprised of RN’s and RPN’s as

well as associate members – students and PSW’s Our members work in acute care, LTC, community,

psychogeriatrics, academia

Our Structure

Provincial Board – president, president-elect, past-president, secretary, treasurer, membership chair, professional advocacy chair, all chapter presidents

Local Chapters - 9 across the province – all with an executive

Hold regular meetings and educational events In addition, the annual conference is hosted by

chapters on a rotational basis.

GNA Activities

Annual conference Education and research funding grants Standards – statement of philosophy - 6 core

standards – reviewed every 5 years Support nurses in achieving the GNC(C) Advocacy - promote gerontological nursing -

involvement with government, community, & partnerships with other nursing associations

Perspectives

Peer-reviewed journal of the Gerontological Nursing Association of Ontario

Published four times a year Issues that focus on topics

identified by our members as key to gerontological nursing practice

We encourage our members to take an active part in submitting items for publication. 

Gerontological NursingThe Essence of Nursing

Caring for the Older Adult is a Privilege, Opportunity, Responsibility

Join Us!