Nursing is a complex profession, caring for patients ranging from birth all the way to end of life. The human body goes through tremendous changes all throughout life, which can be a huge adjustment for individuals experiencing these changes, especially the older adult. Nurses working with geriatric populations are so needed, as I feel like there is such a shortage and lack of care available to the geriatric population. I realized this even more so after taking this class. The geriatric population is growing and will continue to grow, so it is important to have available staff and resources available to help them adapt to these life and health changes they experience. I have gained a lot of insight from this class that I will always keep with me and apply to my future nursing practice. 

One insight revolves around the concept of polypharmacy and how medications affect older adults a lot differently. As we age, it is common to experience many health changes as our bodies continue to change, such as slower metabolisms and higher risk for other diseases to occur such as hypertension and osteoarthritis. If you take the average older adult, the number of medications they are on is astonishing. Blood pressure medications, antilipemic agents, cardiac medications, supplements, multivitamins, acid reflux medications, psychiatric medications, diabetic medications, and many more. With numerous medications come numerous medication interactions. Not only that, but older adults have a higher risk for adverse drug reactions because of their slowed drug metabolism and reduced drug clearance, which puts them at a high risk for drug toxicity. I learned in this class how crucial it is to perform medication reconciliations for all patients, but especially in older adults because they are such a high-risk group. Polypharmacy can cause delirium, confusion, cognitive impairment, falls, decreased functional ability and many more, which is why it is so important to reconcile all their medications, as it can help prevent these things from occurring. 

Another insight I have gained from this class is respect and compassion for all. There are so many stereotypes around aging, some of which I will admit I have fell for a few times. However, this class has opened my eyes to the reality of aging, and how nurses can play a very important part in promoting optimal quality of life for these individuals. I currently work with a geriatric population, and I hate when my coworkers use elder speak. I talk to my patients like I would anyone else, and I joke around with them like I would anyone else. They are still regular human beings and don’t deserve baby talk, prejudices, or stereotypes simply because of their age. I’ve laughed more with these patients than I have with anyone else, and I love those moments. Every patient deserves the absolute best care and compassion. They deserve to be advocated for, and I will take this into my future nursing practice and hold on to this thought with all my patients, no matter their age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation – everyone deserves compassionate nursing care and I want to deliver that!