Caring for the elderly with renal failure: gastrointestinal changes.

Abstract

Provision of health care to the elderly individual with renal failure can be a challenging endeavor for nephrology nurses. With the continuous steady rise in the elderly population, comes the crucial necessity to acquire knowledge regarding changes unique to this segment of the population. Likewise, health care for patients with renal failure is multifaceted and requires acquisition of specialized knowledge to deliver quality care. The challenge comes when changes resulting from advancing age and kidney failure have to be addressed and integrated in the individualized plan of care. This article focuses on gastrointestinal alterations, renal and age-related, that occur. In addition, methods to manage these changes and complications with specific nursing implications are addressed.