B O O K R E V I E W S

M A R I A N N E L A P O R T E M A T Z O , P H D , R N C S , B O O K R E V I E W S E C T I O N E D I T O R

Gerontological Nursing M. Stanley and P. G. Beare, Philadelphia, 1995, EA. Davis, 568 pages, $38.00 (softcover).

Caring for the Elderly Client M. A. Anderson and J. V. Braun, Philadelphia, 1995, F.A. Davis, 470pages, $21.95 (softcover).

There is little disagreement that nursing students of today will care for aging adults. Among nursing faculty, there is limited consensus regarding how best to prepare students for that challenge and opportunity. Some faculty believe that this content is handled best by medical-surgi- cal textbooks that have incorporated "geriatric considera- tions." Other faculty believe that elder care should be addressed from the context of human growth and devel- opment. Many practicing nurses believe they understand the needs of older adults by virtue of their clinical expe- riences.

Traditionally, health care curricula have given limited attention to the aging population. However, in the last decade, there has been a growing recognition of the changing demographics and increasing numbers of older adults and their health care needs. Preparing nursing stu- dents and practicing nurses to better meet the needs of the aging population is an ever-growing concern. One strat- egy to enhance students' understanding of gerontologic nursing content is to adopt a gerontologic textbook and assign readings. Combined with lectures, discussions, and clinical opportunities, this strategy can be very effec- tive. A number of textbooks have been published recently that could complement any nursing course or serve as a core textbook for a gerontologic nursing course. Additionally, these textbooks can serve as resources to practicing nurses caring for elder clients. Two such recent geriatric nursing books were published by F. A. Davis in 1995.

The first of these two books, Caring for the Elder Client by Anderson and Braun, was written specifically for licensed practical nurses and provides essential infor- mation for individuals caring for elder clients. The book presents aging from a positive framework, with a focus on promoting health and the highest level of function for individual clients. Throughout the book, restorative and rehabilitative nursing care is described in both acute and chronic care settings.

Using a humanistic approach to nursing care, the au- thors clearly and correctly explore a number of subjects. Each chapter, introduced with learning objectives, is easy to read and includes case studies and questions that rein- force learning. Throughout the text, there are many black-and-white photographs that emphasize positive as- pects of aging, such as a smiling older woman with an in- fant child. The use of graphics, tables, and appendixes such as resident assessment protocols and living will in-

struction guides provide useful additional information. A supplementary appendix provides the answers to the study questions.

Features such as chapters describing environments of care and legal and ethical considerations offer nurses practical advice regarding how to provide a climate of caring in day care, as well as home, community, and acute care settings. Discussions regarding elder abuse, re- straint-free environments, sexual needs, and informed consent are presented by use of a matter-of-fact, non- judgmental, research-based approach. The role functions of the licensed practical nurse are described within the context of various clinical situations. Although somewhat simplified for the intended audience, this book offers a wide variety of helpful clinical information.

The second book, Gerontological Nursing by Stanely and Beare, uses health promotion and primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention as an organizing framework. Designed as a textbook or reference, it is targeted to pro- grams preparing students as registered nurses or practic- ing nurses. More comprehensive and detailed than Caring for the Elder Client, this text presents a number of major disease processes and the related nursing care for older adults.

The book is divided into seven sections that present (1) a theoretical framework and standards for practice, (2) nursing care for elderS in a variety of settings, (3) a body systems approach to health problems in elders, (4) multi- system problems, (5) individual and family psychosocial issues, (6) nursing care of elders with mental processing alterations, (7) the perioperative experience and pharma- cology, and 8) the future of gerontologic nursing. Each chapter is extensively referenced, and a complete refer- ence list is included at the end of each chapter. Additional features include care plans, teaching guides, and research briefs. The authors also provide local and national re- sources for students and nurses to assist their clients.

There is a limited use of graphics and black-and-white photographs, but there are a number of helpful tables in- tegrated in each chapter. Tables, such as assessment ques- tions, specific nursing diagnoses, the impact of immobility/inactivity, and benefits of exercise, focus the student's learning. Another useful feature within many chapters is a section entitled "essential documentation." This reviewer particularly enjoyed a section of interview and literature pearls that appeared in the chapter on spir- ituality.

This text is jam-packed with information and covers almost every aspect related to elder care. Chapters on cul- tural dimensions, health teaching and compliance, case management for at-risk elders, pain, cancer, HIV and AIDS, alcohol problems, homelessness, and sleep distur- bances reflect its inclusiveness. It has a detailed index that facilitates use of the textbook as a reference.

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Choosing between these two books depends on how they will be used. Clearly, Caring for the Elderly Client is written for a particular audience, licensed practical nurses. Gerontological Nursing is a more complete text and more appropriate for use by nurses and students in a variety of situations. It is so well-referenced that the reader can easily obtain additional information. The nurs- ing care plans and teaching guides are extremely helpful and geared toward providing age-related care.

Both books use a hea l th -promot ing f ramework. However, Gerontological Nursing provides more specific information regarding specific disease states and health- related conditions such as surgery. Inclusion of case stud- ies and crit ical thinking quest ions would have strengthened learning opportunities in Gerontological Nursing. Nursing care plans and teaching guides would have enriched the materials in Caring for the Elderly

Client. Both books seem to rely on reference material f rom the 1980s and early 1990s. Personally, I would have l iked to see some more recent references from 1993 and 1994.

Both of these textbooks have their strong points. Caring for the Elderly Client is a textbook focused on learning what one "needs to know" rather than what is "nice to know." This fact alone makes it more appropriate for the student practical nurse. Both textbooks are current and present aging from a positive, health-promoting framework. However, the most helpful overall resource is Gerontological Nursing, based on its depth and breadth of content. It provides a complete, detailed resource to both students and practicing nurses.

Suzanne C. Beyea, PhD, RN Optima Health

Manchester, N.H.

P R O G R A M C A L E N D A R

Psychiatric Nurses in the New Millennium: Caring, Efficient, Effective, November 5-7, 1997--Washington, D:C. Contact: Henrietta J. Elston, Director of Convention Services, telephone (904)484-9024, fax (904)484-8762.

Advancing Nursing Continuing Education in Gerontology, November 6, 1997--Troy, Michigan. Contact: Sarah Clark, Continuing Medical Education, telephone (313)577- 1180, fax (313)577-7560.

ANA Public Policy Conference: Politics, Policy and You, November 6-7, 1 9 9 7 - Washington, D.C. Contact: Amanda Wellman, telephone (202)651-7086, or Doretta Hood, telephone (202)651-7094.

Nursing's Role in Men's Health: Practice, Research, Education, November 6-8, 1997--New Orleans, Louisiana. Contact: Henrietta J. Elston, Director of Convention Services, telephone (904)484-0144, fax (904)484-8762.

1997 National Nurse Practitioner Confer- ence, November 12-15, 1997--Washington, D.C. Contact: NP Education Associates, Ltd., telephone (410)992-7129, fax (410)992-7216.

International Conference---Nurse Practi- tioner: Challenging Conventional Roles in Healthcare, November 13-14, 1997-- Groningen, the Netherlands. Contact: Conference Secretariat "Nurse Practitioner," P 3.250, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands; telephone +31.(0)50.3614609, fax +31.(0)50.3611701; e-mail c.e. van.de.bunt@ bvz.azg.nL

50th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, November 14-18, 1997--Cincinnati, Ohio. Contact: The Gerontological Society of America, 1275 K St., N.W., Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005-4006; fax (202)842- 1150; e-mail geron@geron.org.

Qualitative Health Research Conference, February 19-21, 1998 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Contact: 4th Qualitative Health Research Conference, c/o School of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5; tele- phone (604)822-7446, fax (604)822-7466; e- mail QHRConJO8@nursing.ubc.ca

Constructing the Future of Gerontology in Higher Education: Planning for the 21st Century, February 19-22, 1998--Winston- Salem, North Carolina. Contact: Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Dr. Joan B. Wood, Virginia Commonwealth University, 520 N. 12th St., Room B-19, P.O. Box 980228, Richmond, VA 23298-0228.

ASA Annual Meeting, March 26-29, 1998--San Francisco, California. Contact: American Society on Aging, 833 Market St., Suite 511, San Francisco, CA 94103-1824.

Partnering for the Future: Vital Aging, March 29-April 2, 1998--Washington, D.C. Contact: The National Council on the Aging, 409 Third St. S.W., Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202)479-1200, TDD (202)479- 6674, fax (202)479-0735.

4th International Long-Term Care Case Management Conference, December 10-13, 1998--San Diego, California. Contact: American Society on Aging, 833 Market StY, Suite 511, San Francisco, CA 94103-1824.

242 Book Reviews September/October 1997 GERIATRIC NURSING