Greetings!

Welcome to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing's July 2009 eNewsletter featuring articles, reference materials, useful links, calendar of events and other best practice information on the care of older adults.

This eNewsletter is sponsored by ConsultGeriRN.org.

ConsultGeriRN.org is the authoritative geriatric clinical nursing website of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing and the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) program, (www.nicheprogram.org). ConsultGeriRN.org contains evidence-based protocols and topics for nurses and other healthcare professionals on the care of older adults. Content is updated regularly.

We would like to hear from you!

The promotion of oral health through good oral hygiene is an essential of nursing care. The RN or designee provides regular oral care for functionally dependent and cognitively impaired older adults.

Oral hygiene is directly linked with systemic infections, cardiac disease, CVA, acute MI, glucose control in diabetes, nutritional intake, comfort, ability to speak, and a patient's self-esteem and overall well-being.
Learn more about "Oral Hygiene" with references and resources by visiting ConsultGeriRN.org.

Watch a video on Geriatric Oral Health Education for Health Care Proffessionals

The Hartford Institute, College of Nursing, NYU, in collaboration with the Coalition of Geriatric Nursing Organizations and the Pioneer Network convened an interdisciplinary Expert Panel of leaders in culture change and in gerontological nursing for a one-and-a-half day meeting in October 2008, sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund. The purpose of this meeting was to foster dialogue, to identify facilitators and barriers to nurses' involvement in culture change, and to identify actions to promote competencies for nurses in a resident-directed care environment in nursing homes. The resulting Issue Paper encompasses five sections: culture change and research supporting culture change; nursing in nursing homes; culture change, nursing practice, and nursing education; recommendations; and next steps.
View the Issue Paper

The mistreatment of older adults can take many forms, including abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and abandonment. Reporting suspected mistreatment is mandated in most states, but many clinicians have little or no training in recognizing the indicators of mistreatment and so most cases go unreported. The Elder Assessment Instrument provides a way for nurses to screen older adults for possible mistreatment and can be used in most clinical settings.

The How to Try This:® series is funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University's College of Nursing in collaboration with the American Journal of Nursing (AJN). This initiative translates the evidence-based geriatric assessment tools in the Try This Assessment Series into cost-free, web-based print and video resources, for caring for older adults. This series can be viewed, downloaded, and shared without any fees. Articles may be printed and copied for educational use without copyright fees. View more information

Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Director
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
New York University College of Nursing

One of the programs being considered in President Obama's evolving health plan is the notion of a "medical home." In a medical home model, primary care clinicians and allied professionals provide conventional diagnostic and therapeutic services, as well as coordination of care for patients that require services not available in primary care settings. The goal is to provide a patient with a broad spectrum of care, both preventive and curative, over a period of time and to coordinate all of the care the patient receives. Clearly many older adults with multiple chronic health problems (many of which involve cognitive changes and potential for depression) would benefit from consistency and coordination of services. See www.deloitte.com for more information.

Some of us, however, think that the name medical home is a gross misnomer. Consistent with past and current practice in models that deliver comprehensive services to patients, nurses in this new model would be the provider responsible for most of the service coordination and patient follow-up. And in fact, nurses achieve impressive patient outcomes when they coordinate services to complex patients. So lets think of a new name to more accurately describe this new model. A few that I can think of are:

• "Health home"
• "Caring home"
• "Care management"

What are your thoughts and ideas on this subject? Respond to us on our Hartford Institute forums!

NICHE Web Based Learning Series Presents:

"The Never Event Series: The Experts Respond"