Summary

This course was designed to provide the nurse who is involved in caring for elderly patients with an understanding of the foundation of advocacy responsibilities for this population group, strategies for identifying and addressing the advocacy needs, and resources to assist elders in meeting their health care needs. It is understood that nurses and other health care providers currently work under very difficult circumstances and for this reason they also have responsibilities of social and political activities, in concert with others who share their concerns. It was not possible to discuss in depth all the possible problems confronting the elderly; however, upon completing this course nurses should be in possession of the tools they need to facilitate the health care of their elderly patients.