In recent years, nursing research has made tremendous advances and important contributions to our nation's health care system. Nurses are initiating changes and undertaking leadership roles in shaping a health care system that is more responsive to the needs of patients, families and communities. At the 52nd annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America on November 21, 1999 in San Francisco, California, nurses will address critical issues of care for older adults.
"This is an exciting time to be a nurse researcher," said Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. "There are more opportunities than ever for nurses to directly affect the quality of the lives of their older adult patients. "
Of particular interest will be a symposium, called Movers and Shakers: Nurses, the Bedrock of Quality, chaired by Mathy Mezey which will highlight three vital health concerns that confront elderly patients nationwide. They are: the negative effects of understaffing in nursing homes and hospitals and how this directly effects the elderly; the importance of improving the nutritional care of nursing home residents, most especially those experiencing eating problems that often result in malnourishment, dehydraton and death; and the unique needs of the hospitalized elders with common medical and surgical conditions who are at high risk for poor post-discharge recoveries.
Featured speakers will include Charlene Harrington (University of California, Special Behavior Science, San Francisco), Mary Bliesmer (Minnesota State University, Mankato, School of Nursing), Jeanie Kayser-Jones (University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing), and Mary D. Naylor (University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing).
In addition to speaking at the conference, Dr. Jeanie Kayser-Jones will be presented with The Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award. This award is bestowed by the Gerontological Society of America in collaboration with the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing. Dr. Kayser-Jones is being honored for her research of problems that influence the quality of care and the quality of life of nursing home residents. This annual award is named for Doris Schwartz, a pioneer in gerontological nursing research, and is given in recognition of visionary and exemplary contributions advancing the field of geriatric nursing research.
Additionally, the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing will present and discuss research from the participants of its Scholars and Fellows Program. This program fosters and promotes emerging geriatric researchers into developing significant programs of clinical aging research.
The John A Hartford Institute Foundation for Geriatric Nursing at New York University - The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU seeks to shape the quality of the health care that elderly Americans receive by promoting the highest level of competency in the nurses who deliver that care. By raising the standards of nursing care, the Hartford Institute aims to ensure that people age in comfort and with dignity. The Hartford Institute Website can be visited at www.nyu.edu/education/nursing/hartford.institute. The email address is: hartford.ign@nyu.edu