title: Geropsychiatric nursing. Present issues and future challenges.
abstract: Geropsychiatric nursing has evolved over the past 20 years in response to the complex health care needs of our rapidly expanding older population. Because of the nonspecific presentation of both physical and mental symptoms, the assessments, interventions, and coordination of resources must occur from several vantage points. The challenge has been to blend gerontologic and psychiatric nursing and to incorporate community health and medical-surgical nursing. Older adults are vastly diverse in their past life experiences, culture, ethnicity, lifestyles, current physical and mental conditions, and resources. This necessitates and interdisciplinary approach to practice and presents many challenges for research.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States