Infusing Geropsychiatric Nursing into Curricula - Resources for Teaching Key Concept II.B. (Management: Behavioral, environmental and pharmacological interventions and communication for behaviors)
The Geropsychiatric Nursing Collaborative has developed Geropsychiatric Nursing Competency Enhancements and 27 associated Key Concepts (see POGOe Product 20660) to draw attention to the special mental health issues of older adults and assist faculty to address them. The key concepts are organized into four domains: assessment, management, approach to older adults, and role. This product provides an index of resources addressing Key Concept II.B. -- Management: Behavioral, environmental and pharmacological interventions and communication for behaviors.
The occurrence of behavioral symptoms in older adults with common mental disorders is often a source of distress for families and caregivers. Behavioral symptoms are strongly associated with increased caregiver burden and may result in institutionalization.
Behavioral symptoms may be prevented and managed through various approaches including management of the environment and effective communication. If non-drug approaches fail to reduce the behaviors, and they are distressing to the patient, then medications may be appropriate for severe symptoms, at least on a short-term basis.
This product contains resources that address the following:
- Geriatric assessment
- Cognition
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Depression
- Alcohol Use
- Caregiving
- Activities of daily living
- Pharmacologic treatment
- Non-medical interventions
Increase knowledge of intervention strategies to prevent and manage behavioral symptoms in older adults with mental disorders.
Each of the 27 products based on the Key Concepts provides access to curriculum/teaching materials to assist faculty to infuse the geropsychiatric nursing competency enhancements into course objectives, teaching strategies, didactic content, and/or clinical experiences of relevant educational programs. These include entry level and advanced practice nursing programs in psychiatric-mental health, adult/gerontological, family, women’s health or acute care, or stand-alone geropsychiatric nursing or continuing education courses. The resources may be adapted for use with a range of learners, as indicated in each description. Each resource has been identified as appropriate to teaching the Key Concept and is described in detail.