Abstract
BackgroundThe unprecedented global growth in older adults merits high-quality gerontological nursing care. As gerontological nursing grows in visibility in developed and developing countries, nurses must possess a broader worldview of ageing with knowledge of physiological, psychosocial, and cultural issues.PurposeThe purpose of this article is to: (1) highlight lessons learned on differences and similarities in ageing and care of older adults in the United States of America (USA) and South Africa (SA); and (2) provide recommendations on how to advance gerontological nursing education in SA.MethodsA two-week international service-learning project was undertaken by visiting SA and learning about their nursing system and care of older adults. Service-learning is an innovative teaching-learning-service method that provided reflective and hands-on experience of gerontological nursing. This article provides a personal reflection of lessons learned about ageing and gerontological nursing during the service-learning project.FindingsCare of older adults in SA is in many ways different from and similar to that in the USA. Consequently global nurses should recognise those differences and provide culturally appropriate care. This service-learning experience also demonstrated the need for gerontological nursing education in SA. Based on this, recommendations on how to infuse and advance gerontological nursing education in SA are provided.ConclusionCaring for older adults in a global context requires knowledge and understanding of cultures and their values and practices. With a growing population of diverse older adults, there is a need for incorporation of more gerontological education in nursing curriculums and clinical experiences.
Highlights
The global landscape for the care of older adults is changing in response to an ageing demographic
In spring 2012 collaboration between a College of Nursing at a north-eastern university in the United States of America (USA) and a School of Nursing in South Africa (SA) allowed a group of American nursing professionals, undergraduate nursing students, and one graduate nursing student to embark on a service-learning experience in SA
Given that 25 years is the median age of South Africans (United Nations 2011), the end of adulthood is closer to 50 years of age
Summary
The global landscape for the care of older adults is changing in response to an ageing demographic. It is estimated that the global population of those aged 65 years and older will grow to 1.53 billion by 2050 (United States Census Bureau 2009). As of 2009 South Africa (SA) ranked 108th in size of older adult population, with 7% aged 60 years and older (United Nations 2009). In response to an increase in older adults worldwide, nurses must be educationally prepared to care for this population, and this entails nurses and nursing students being able to recognise differences in cultural needs. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to: (1) highlight lessons learned on differences and similarities in ageing and care of older adults in the United States of America (USA) and South Africa (SA); and (2) provide recommendations on how to advance gerontological nursing education in SA
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