[The content and its teaching method of nursing for the elderly in baccalaureate program]

The study is intended to examine the content of gerontological nursing for the baccalaureate program in nursing and to review its teaching methods.

Articles and books were reviewed extensively, information was gathered from various gerontological health professionals and family caregivers were interviewed, and a survey was conducted by questionnaire on the students' views of the elderly people.

The contents of gerontological nursing education included features of the elderly, trends of social situations for the elderly and characteristics of the gerontological nursing approach. Features of the elderly mean a comprehensive understanding of the elderly including physical, psychological and social aspects. Characteristics of gerontological nursing included assistance for the elderly, assistance for families, and intervention for the organization which supports the elderly. In providing assistance to the elderly, it is necessary to be sensitive and to respect their life, independence, dignity, and relation with society. The teaching method of gerontological nursing education should be organized according to the principles of learning, that is, from familiar subjects to unknown subjects, and from simple to complicated ones. For future study, a detailed examination of the contents and methods of gerontological nursing education is needed.