Since people are living well into their 80s now, the population of older adults is increasing rapidly in the US. This also means that the rate of chronic illnesses, functional limitations, and complex care needs is also growing. In this aspect, primary care plays an important role in early detection, prevention, and continuity of new health issues in the elderly.
Statistics show that around 85% of US adults have visited a doctor or any health care provider every year, and around half of all physician visits are to primary care clinicians. By taking a collaborative approach, geriatric primary care provides the elderly with personalized as well as holistic care to improve their overall quality of life.
Importance of Primary Geriatric Care
When we age, many unexpected variables arise. Elder people experience mysterious pains, mental and emotional instabilities, adverse reactions to medications, and many chronic illnesses. Sometimes, they suffer from more than one condition at the same time, and it’s hard to take care of them. This is why primary care for older people is crucial. Geriatric care physicians and nurses specialized in elderly care play a vital role in managing their health.
The Indispensable Role of Nurses in Geriatric Primary Care
Although geriatric care physicians play a significant role in managing the quality of life of elderly patients, the US healthcare system faces a real workforce challenge. There are only around 6200 geriatric physicians working in the US, which is far less than the actual need of tens of thousands more geriatricians to meet the demands of an aging society by 2030.
This is one of the main reasons that nurse practitioners, specifically AGNPs, are an indispensable part of the healthcare system. Such nurses are specialized to take care of aged people across their lifespan.
What is an AGNP and Why the Role Matters
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners, aka AGNPs, are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in providing advanced age-appropriate care from adolescence to old age. They are allowed to practice individually within the limits imposed by different states. Commonly, AGNPs are specialized in two areas based on their core duties and work environments:
AGPCNP (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner): These nurses focus on preventive and lifelong care, and short-term management. They conduct physical exams, develop illness diagnoses, arbitrate and evaluate test results, manage (and educate on) medications, tackle acute and some chronic conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension), and also provide health education to both patients and their families.
AGACNP (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner): These nurses work in hospital facilities, trauma care centers, and specialty acute care clinics to handle patients suffering from acute, severe, or complex chronic conditions.
All in all, AGNPs are vital for the primary care of the aging population. With a rapidly increasing proportion of adults, AGNPs have a very distinct ability to manage the physical, mental, and social impacts of aging, and also multimorbidity. They have a strong knowledge base that supports management of complex diseases and polypharmacy in seniors to reduce the adverse effects of medications.
Core Components of AGNP Education
To advance in their careers, registered nurses take several offline and online AGNP programs that offer them a flexible pathway to prepare for more advanced roles within the primary care settings in the US. These programs are usually designed for working RNs who must balance their progressive education alongside professional and personal responsibilities.
The core components of AGNP education typically include:
- Gerontology and aging-related physiology
- Chronic disease management (e.g, heart failure, diabetes, COPD)
- Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment.
- Health promotion and preventive care.
- Interprofessional collaboration and care coordination
- Evidence-based practice and leadership.
Career Pathways and Practice Settings
Many community-based healthcare settings require AGNPs, which gives them the flexibility to work in a setting that matches well with their interests and professional goals. The typical career opportunities and work environments for AGNPs in the US are:
Primary care and internal medicine practices: Provide adult continuing care, regular checkups, and manage chronic and recurring illnesses.
Geriatric Specialty Practices: Focus only on the health problems of elderly people.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Government-supported health centers that aim to serve the medically underserved.
Community Health Clinics: Assist immigrants, people from isolated or rural regions, and the economically disadvantaged.
Home-based Primary Care or Mobile Health Programs: Make it possible for patients to receive primary care within their homes.
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: Provide living facilities to patients who need medical supervision on a daily basis.
Veterans Health Administration Clinics: Offer care specifically for the US military veterans.
Telehealth Primary Care: provides primary care virtually through phone or video visits.
Factors for Prospective Students to Consider
All students have their own dreams and paths to choose. Although many guiding points can help you select the career path that’ll fit best with your goals, you must be aware of which programs to sign up for.
Here are some important factors you must consider:
Accreditation and Certification Eligibility: Make sure the program you select is an accredited nursing school by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Check, also, the program prepares students to be certified nurses nationally.
Flexibility and Learning Format: If you are a working RN, an online or hybrid program can be the most beneficial for you.
Clinical Placements Support: Find out how to ensure that the program offers quality clinical rotations in adult and gerontology primary care for real-world experience.
Prescriptive Authority and Scope of Independent Practice in Your State: NPs are granted independent practice in some states, while others do not allow prescriptive authority without oversight by a physician.
Career Goals: Understand where you want to practice: In clinics, hospitals, community settings, long-term care, or telehealth-based primary care.
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The elderly are some of our most vulnerable citizens, often requiring ongoing care and support from medical staff, families, and community forces. Thankfully, physicians and nurses in the US collaborate closely with families and caregivers to manage the complex needs of our geriatric population.
Older people are an important part of every community, and we must ensure they receive proper primary care for a better quality of life.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.