The challenge of teaching the elderly cardiac patient

Half of Americans aged 65 and older suffer from some form of cardiovascular problem. This fact necessitates attention to an adequate program of patient education during the hospital course, in order for the patient or the significant other to assume responsibility for home care after discharge. Consideration should be given to providing a complete and effective means of assessing the patient so that a teaching plan to meet specific needs can be formulated. Objectives must be set, with the patient included in this part of the process. Once teaching has been completed, there should be evaluation to determine whether the education goals were met. Only when the geriatric patient is regarded as a unique individual can the nurse-instructor hope to be successful with teaching endeavors.