Restorative Nursing Care PDF Download

Increased studies in the last few years, have been reviewing a long standing question of a generation of aging adults above 65 years or older. The questions is how to maintain physical and mental health, while minimizing chronic conditions and decreasing medical costs of managing illnesses as the geriatric population continues to age. Physical Therapy (PT) is considered a short term solution, as treatment is short in duration, approximately 90 days. This paper is a review of how restorative nursing may assist with both physical and mental health care and maintenance to provide autonomy and quality of life to individuals in both facilities and in the community. Implementation of a standardized nursing plan to assist with ADL's, mobility, recreational, nutritional, and physical abilities can be addressed with a restorative care plan. Complications arise from immobility cause a strain on hospital care, emergency room visits, avoidable accidents/falls, and the costs of exacerbations of chronic conditions. A standardized restorative nursing plan would trigger a referral for care and allow interventions in the geriatric population and decrease the cost of medical care. Screening provided from admission and a referral system to restorative care as a continuation of care, may be cost effective as Medicare and most health insurances include restorative care as a preventative health measure. Restorative nursing care is a program in need of a universal guideline with evidence base practice to ensure quality care of the geriatric population is obtained and provided. Specialized training and promotion of policies reflecting the restorative nurse's role in an interdisciplinary team should be outlined within the context of a universal program to facilities and community programs. Evidence based studies are included in this paper to promote a cohesive restorative nursing program while discussing the positive outcomes of the geriatric population.