Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- ONE: The Graying of America -- Issues of Aging -- Government-Funded Health Care -- Medical Concerns -- Ageism-Facts and Myths of Aging -- Myths -- Ageism -- Ethnogeriatrics and Health Care -- Cultural Competence -- Gerontological Nursing -- Theories of Aging -- Biological Theories -- Psychological Theories -- Moral/Spiritual Theories -- Sociological Theories -- Summary -- TWO: The Health Care Delivery System -- Retirement -- Challenges Within the Current Health Care Delivery System -- Financing Health Care -- Medicare and Related Plans -- Medicaid -- Private Pay, or Fee for Service -- Veteran's Benefits -- Long-Term Care Insurance -- Payment Options for Older Adults Without Resources for Health Care -- Summary -- THREE: Normal Changes of Aging -- Cardiovascular System -- Respiratory System -- Integumentary System -- Gastrointestinal System -- Constipation -- Bowel Incontinence -- Urinary System -- Urinary Incontinence -- Musculoskeletal System -- Sexuality/Reproductive System -- Changes in the Senses -- Neurological Changes -- Summary -- FOUR: Assessing Older Adults -- Systematic Geriatric Assessment -- Health History -- Reminiscence and Life Review -- Physical Assessment -- Critical Components of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment -- Function -- Cognition -- Summary -- FIVE: Health Promotion -- Primary Prevention -- Alcohol Usage Among Older Adults -- Smoking -- Nutrition and Hydration -- Exercise -- Sleep -- Fall Prevention -- Adult Immunization -- Secondary Prevention -- Cardiovascular Disease -- Diabetes -- Cancer -- Summary -- SIX: Pathological Disease Processes in Older Adults -- Musculoskeletal Disorders -- Osteoarthritis -- Osteoporosis -- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders -- Hypertension -- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) -- Angina and Myocardial Infarction (MI).

Obstructive Airway Diseases -- Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke) -- Diabetes Mellitus -- Infectious Diseases -- Influenza -- Pneumonia -- Sexually Transmitted Disease and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -- Cancer -- Parkinson's Disease -- Summary -- SEVEN: Medication Usage -- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics -- Medication Absorption -- Medication Distribution -- Hepatic Metabolism -- Renal Elimination -- Medication Interactions -- Medication-Disease Interactions -- Medication-Nutrient Interactions -- Generic Medications -- Inappropriate Medications -- Medication Adherence -- Over-the-Counter and Illegally Obtained Narcotics and Herbal Medications -- Summary -- EIGHT: Cognitive and Psychological Issues in Aging -- Delirium -- Depression -- Suicide -- Dementia -- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) -- Summary -- NINE: Ethical Issues of Aging and Independence -- Ethical Principles -- Autonomy -- Beneficence -- Nonmaleficence -- Justice -- Driving -- Sexuality in Older Adults -- Gambling -- Summary -- TEN: Quality of Life Issues Among Older Adults -- Quality of Life (QOL) -- Elder Mistreatment -- Pain -- Grandparenting -- Spirituality -- Summary -- ELEVEN: Environments of Care -- Home Care -- Caregiving at Home -- Acute Care -- Skilled Nursing Facilities -- Urinary Tract Infections -- Pressure (Decubitus) Ulcers -- Assisted Living -- Continuing Care Retirement Communities -- Homeless Older Adults -- Summary -- TWELVE: End-of-Life Care -- Advance Directives -- Financial Planning for End of Life -- Dimensions of End-of-Life Care -- Physical Dimension -- Psychological Dimension -- Social Dimension -- Spiritual Dimension -- Communication -- Grieving -- Widowhood -- Hospice Care -- Summary -- THIRTEEN: Future Trends and Needs -- America Continues to Gray -- Changes in the Health Care Delivery System.

Ethical, Legal, and Financial Issues Related to Older Adults -- Normal Changes of Aging -- Wellness, Health Promotion, and Health Education -- Medication Management -- Geriatric Assessment -- Advances in Acute Illnesses and Chronic Disease Management -- Special Issues of Aging -- Psychological and Cognitive Issues in Aging -- Environments of Care -- Spirituality and End-of-Life Care -- Conclusion -- Web Resources -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.