Ageing Population: An Implication for Nurses

Ageing is a universal phenomenon that is obvious as well as inevitable. It is a process that begins from conception and continues for as long as we live. The concept of ageing is multifaceted. Though old age is not a disease, it is the phase of retrograde biological process in growth and development which leads to decreased powers of survival and adjustment. In the care of the elderly, the severely impaired or dependent elderly will need range of professional care as well as with their families. Caring for the elderly by nurses is very challenging, time consuming and tasking. In the process of creating adequate services, home care and institutional service are complementary and multi directional and care of such patients need shared responsibility of both families and professional service provider. It is recommended that Nurses should advocate for the elderly since it is expected that social services would be overwhelmed by the growing ageing population.

Keywords: Ageing, Population, Nurses,