As the population ages, having a solid healthcare team is more important than ever. But with so many different types of doctors and specialists out there, how do you know which one to choose? According to Zippia, around 14% of US adults are employed in the healthcare industry.
You may not realize it, but adult gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) are essential to that team, especially for older adults. Here’s everything you need to know about why these professionals are so valuable when it comes to caring for your elderly loved one:
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) Have Advanced Degrees and Experience
Your elder parents will benefit from the advanced degrees and experience of AGNPs. Many AGNPs hold post-master’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care NPs online degrees in nursing with a focus on gerontology. They have extensive knowledge about aging adults and their healthcare needs, as well as clinical expertise that allows them to provide high-quality care for older adults.
AGNPs are trained to work in various settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. Many work as part of a team with physicians and other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients at every stage of life, from infancy through late adulthood or even beyond.
They Develop Strong Relationships With Their Patients
AGNPs are trained to form strong relationships with their patients. They approach healthcare from a holistic perspective, meaning they will listen to your entire family’s concerns and needs and consider them when designing a care plan. They understand the importance of having an empathetic and compassionate presence in your life as you age.
AGNPs can help you feel comfortable and relaxed during medical visits, even if it is something as simple as ensuring that nothing physically prevents you from sitting up straight or taking deep breaths when necessary.Â
It will make things easier for both parties. AGNPs won’t be concerned about how tense their body language makes them because they know how to work around any physical limitations, which will reduce the stress level for everyone involved.
They Are Familiar With Elderly Health Issues
One of the many benefits of hiring AGNPs to care for your parents is that they are familiar with elderly health issues. While nurses generally have a good understanding of the aging process, AGNPs have a thorough understanding based on their advanced education and extensive clinical experience.
AGNPs can help older adults with various health issues, including chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. They can also provide care for older adults who have fallen or had other accidents that result in broken bones or cuts and scrapes.Â
They Have a Holistic Approach to the Care of Older Adults
According to Health Affairs, more US citizens will be over 65 than those under 5 years of age by 2030. AGNPs are trained to address multiple health issues at once, which allows them to treat the patient as a whole person and not just one condition. It is essential for older adults with more than one medical problem, such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression.
AGNPs treat the whole person rather than just one condition or disease. They are trained in how lifestyle factors can affect their patient’s health outcomes, therefore, they often have a holistic approach when caring for an older adult patient’s health needs.
AGNPs Specialize in Advanced Nursing Services
AGNPs are specially trained to handle senior citizens’ unique physical and mental needs. One of the most significant benefits of choosing an AGNP is that they can perform many functions of a physician without the risk of malpractice suits. It means you can rest assured knowing that your parents have access to quality medical care in their time of need.
AGNPs can provide physical exams, diagnose diseases, order lab tests and interpret results, prescribe medications, perform procedures under anesthesia and administer intravenous therapy. They also have extensive training in gerontology, which means they understand how aging affects patients differently than younger populations.
An AGNP Can Serve as an Excellent Healthcare Partner for Older Adults
If you are looking for a healthcare partner that can help your elderly parents with their health concerns, then hire an AGNP. These highly skilled nurses will be able to serve as excellent healthcare partners and provide the kind of care that older adults need.Â
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of NPs is expected to grow 40% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
AGNPs possess extensive gerontology knowledge, meaning they can take a holistic approach to the care of older adults. It is one of their greatest assets because it allows them to treat the patient holistically rather than just focusing on their medical conditions or other physical symptoms like most other healthcare providers would do.
In addition to having this holistic approach to treating patients, AGNPs have also been trained specifically on how to deal with diseases among older adults, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more. They have undergone training programs designed specifically for this purpose, so they know exactly what needs to be done when dealing with these illnesses among people above 65 years old
Conclusion
If you have an elderly parent or loved one, it’s essential to have a healthcare partner who understands their needs. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) are some of the most qualified professionals for this job because they specialize in caring for older adults. They can help develop your parent’s care plan, provide holistic services and educate you on senior health issues.
