New perspectives on advanced practice nursing case management for aging patients

Area of Science:

• Geriatric care
• Case management
• Advanced practice nursing

Background:

• Older adults often do not fit traditional healthcare models like DRGs or managed care.
• Increasing longevity leads to more complex intergenerational family caregiving dynamics.
• Family caregivers may lack specialized knowledge, potentially risking elder safety and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges in providing case management for the elderly.
• To demonstrate the critical role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in geriatric case management.
• To illustrate how APN expertise can lead to successful health and social outcomes for aging individuals.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of two complex geriatric patients with intergenerational caregiving responsibilities.
• In-depth review of the interventions and strategies employed by two advanced practice nurse (APN) case managers.
• Assessment of patient outcomes in relation to the specialized care provided by APNs.

Main Results:

• Advanced practice nurses (APNs) demonstrated proficiency, creativity, and systems acumen in managing complex cases.
• Successful health and social outcomes were achieved for two elderly individuals ('master survivors') exceeding longevity and clinical expectations.
• The individualized care approach by APNs was crucial for navigating unique patient needs and family dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are invaluable in geriatric case management due to their specialized knowledge and skills.
• APNs possess the necessary confidence and expertise to individualize care for the 'greatest generation'.
• The findings underscore the importance of APN-led case management for optimizing care for long-living older adults.