Person-Centered Assessment for Older Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Critical Reflection and Literature Review

Running head: EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
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EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE1
Introduction:
A person-centered assessment is a useful tool in the nursing practice which is directed by
nurses where nurse gathers information from the patient through face to face interview (Hiatt et
al. 2018). The purpose of this person-centered assessment is to identify strength, capacities, and
preferences along with the need of the patients so that patient feel empower and confident and it
improves the quality of life of the patient (Thorarinsdottir, Bjornsdottir and Kristjansson 2017).
The person-centered assessment is crucial for aged care as in old age, individuals failed to live a
healthy life due to aging and they tend to experience chronic illness (Kächele et al.
2016). Hence, person-centered assessment calls for empowered skilled and well-supported
nurses who can recognize the needs of the older person and provide accurate intervention. In this
essay, person-centered assessment tool will be incorporated in obtaining information of the older
patient in order to implement accurate care for the individuals for improving her quality of life.
Hence, this paper will provide a critical reflection of the interview with the older patients, critical
literature review and discussion of the implementation of the care in the following paragraphs.
Critical reflection of the discussion with an older person:
I was provided with an opportunity to conduct an interview with 67 years of a widow
who lives in the community alone. Before the person-centered assessment, I provided her the
information that I was interested in gathering knowledge regarding a different aspect of aging
and positive as well as the negative perspective of aging. The main focus of the interview was to
address the specific needs of the patient which will further assist her to lead a healthy lifestyle
and able to improve her health condition. Consequently, she felt empowered and safe and joined

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE2
in the conversation which facilitates the therapeutic relationship between us. We had a
conversation of one hour which provided me the opportunity to address her special needs and she
felt empowered that her concerns were heard by me. This conversation further facilitates my
interpersonal skills and improved my nursing practice. She highlighted that she was diagnosed
with osteoarthritis and as she lives alone it was very difficult for her to overcome such issues.
Consequently, she experiences low mood, isolation and feels helpless which further affected her
quality of life. The crucial challenge I have identified in older age include osteoarthritis and
depression where she shared issues such as loneliness, isolation, and pain.
Critical literature review:
According to Ganji et al. (2018), self-management educational program is considered as
one of the most beneficial method for managing extreme level of pain in the older population.
Since, the patient belonged to poor socio-economic background, she had no knowledge of
arthritis or the prevention strategies that can be used to manage arthritis. Therefore, it is essential
for the reregistered nurse to provide effective educational sessions to the patient that will
motivate her to reduce the pain and self-manage her health condition by adapting behavioural
changes and other types of non-pharmacological intervention that will aim to prevent or the
health condition successfully. The behavioural change swill also guide her to improve her
lifestyle and manage her health in a better way.
It is evident that the patient was old and lacked sufficient knowledge that could assist her
to manage her pain. According to Gatchel (2018), the most crucial nursing intervention will be
promote effective pain intervention techniques that will help her to overcome from the condition
such as physical decline, multi-morbidity, cognitive complications and high rate of

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pharmacological intervention. As the patient had reduced mobility and physical activity, the
nurse can suggest her other traditional therapy that includes stretching or exercise and medicinal
therapy that will help the patient to manage her pain and reduce the complexities that arise in her
daily life.
Since the patient was suffering from arthritis and was living alone, it was evident that
other than mediational therapy she also required a detail knowledge of non-pharmacological
therapy. According to Yousefi et al. (2015), non-pharmacological self-management modular
program will be beneficial for increasing awareness in the patient and counselling the patient
regarding their physical activity and daily activity of life (ADL). As the patient belonged to poor
socio-economic background, she had no knowledge reading the comprehensive management of
arthritis and therefore required an educational program that would help her to enhance her daily
activity of life.
The patient was old and had reduced muscle strength, mobility and flexibility, which can
make extreme elaborated physical exercise difficult for her to perform and hence she required
some yoga-based intervention program. According to Deepeshwar et al. (2018), integrated
approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) intervention will be helpful for the patient to maintain a
healthy lifestyle and improve their flexibility, functional mobility and muscle strength that will
ultimately assist her to manage her arthritis condition and also improve her efficiency for
managing pain and physical activity. Integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) intervention
will help her to manage and develop a mind-body coordination that will motivate her to manage
her health condition both physically and psychologically.