Problem

1. Why do many people seem to have negative feelings toward elders? What do you think that they fear when interacting with or touching older people? How can nurses overcome some of those fears or hesitations?

2. What types of rights do you feel older adults should have when it comes to the end of their lives and prolonging life? If older adults with dementia or longtime chronic illnesses choose to withhold food/water or refuse treatment for an illness, do you feel that is within their rights? How would you counsel family members to deal with these types of issues?

3. How can nurses help older adults in avoiding the problems of polypharmacy and organizing their medications in an easy to understand and use format. What are different strategies that could be used? How would strategies change if the patient had hearing or vision deficits? What about if the patient is illiterate?