The older woman: ethnicity and health.

This article on minority women populations and health care seeks to address the economic impact of health care for such populations, discuss the scope of the problem surrounding women's health, address the health status of minority older women, identify ethnocultural strategies and nursing implications for the health care of older women from varying ethnic backgrounds, and provide resources to assist health care providers.

Older? Who me? Growing old should not mean giving up.

The strangest things precipitate the most interesting discussions. It is interesting how frequently the word "older" appears in our language. It has been there all along, we have just become sensitized to its presence. The same may be true for you as you read the commentary on the next two pages and begin to reflect on the stereotypes and limitations placed on "older" people. Are they justified in the present day, or are they simply carryovers from the past, or is there some element of harsh reality to the characterizations?

Gerontological nursing in the 21st century.

The approaching millennium brings not only a muted but also a challenging vision for the future of gerontological nursing. This vision is muted by the rhetoric of the 90s dictating the elimination of costly programs with the potential to diminish quality. It is a vision of challenge to advocate for, protect, demand, and create a new framework that will guarantee high-quality health care for older patients. In an attempt to clarify that vision, this article outlines three areas of gerontological nursing: education, practice, and research. The future direction in these areas will dictate how collective thinking can support health care for older people in the next century and beyond. These components of nursing must be integrated to develop quality care needed by older patients.

Long-term care: providing for those with disability and chronic illness.

1. The focus of long-term care has widened from concentrating exclusively on the older adult to an inclusive perspective of all ages and population groups needing health care over a prolonged period of time. 2. Long-term care principles must include access to a full range of services, care coordination by professional nurses, community-based networks, and an emphasis on consumer responsibility. 3. Multiple nursing implications exist in the 21st century for care of older persons: education of students and professionals and development of continuum of care services and their evaluation and effectiveness.

Geriatric nursing. Health care reform in Scotland.

1. The United Kingdom's private practitioners are awarded a yearly budget by the National Health Service. Within that budget, the practitioners design a practice that fits into this financial constraint. Certain practice guidelines are also dictated by the government. A reform measure, "Working With People," has been introduced to correct flaws in the system. 2. "Working With People" has created a considerable amount of rhetoric and debate. The paper has been enthusiastically supported by independent sector interests and encourages privatization and development of self-governing hospitals. 3. Gerontological nursing education and practice in the United States has much to gain from its colleagues in the UK--and vice versa. There is room for collaboration and consultation from nursing professionals in the United States to avoid the many negatives that have faced the industry there.