Nursing Care of Older Adults - PDF

NURSING CARE OF OLDER
PERSONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
CRITICAL REFLECTION..............................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX-1..................................................................................................................................6
APPENDIX-2..................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Nursing is considered as intrinsic part of health-care system which embraces health
promotion, prevention of illness and protection of physically, mentally or psychologically ill old
young people. In this process, protection from sickness is given to people of all ages, families,
groups and communities. Person-centred assessment consists of skilled and talented workers who
have innovative and creative ideas for taking care of needs of older person. It is considered as a
way of doing and implementing things, which helps nurses and care person to plan, monitor and
supports needs of service users.
Person-centred assessment
This approach is quiet important for person of old age as it improves quality of services
provided by health-professionals, supports people in getting what they need, boost individual’s
morale to be more active, and helps them in reducing their stress. By use of Person-centred
assessment nurses are able to know their patients well as an individual. This helps them in
developing relation of trust and loyalty with them. It also encourages informal relationship
between health-care supervisors and people of old age (Parsons and et.al., 2011). This model also
motivates service users to get involved in decision making process of their treatment, so that they
can get appropriate services and care according to their wants. It is very important for person of
old age, as it provides friendly and emotional support to them. Nurses involves relatives and
family in decisions related to health of individuals, and makes sure that they have access to
proper care whenever they required.
Essay will include critical reflection over discussion with an old person dealing with
health concerns and problems due to aging. It will also show effect of person-centred approach
required for care of old age. It will also discuss about the support that could be provided to
individual in this phase.
CRITICAL REFLECTION
Person-centred assessment helps health-care professionals in developing relationship,
which is solely based on trust and honesty. In this carer motivates old age person to share their
feelings and emotions with them.
Principles of person-centred assessment
Personal discussion with an individual show that this approach has various principles
which need to followed by nurses and supervisors. It motivates them to value people with dignity
1

and respect and makes them aware of their preferences, needs and likings. This approach also
supports care givers in understanding life experiences which includes past, present and future of
elderly people. Study also shows that, as people grow older they notice some major changes in
body functioning and behaviour of environment. Alteration may include fear of losing jobs,
separation from children, low immune system and also need for family increases with whom
they want to spend time.
Discussion with older people also revealed that the best thing in their life while growing
old is spending time with person who they love which includes their grandchildren, relatives and
friends. Sense of accomplishment is also one thing which they are proud of. Study also shows the
key problems like chronic, mental health conditions and substance abuse which are being faced
by elderly people. Individuals suffer from issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart-attack,
increase cholesterol level, obesity. etc. (Sherrington and et.al., 2011). They may also suffer from
psychological disorder due to stress like anxiety, insomnia, depression, fatigue, hopelessness,
inability to pay attention. This may affect their health and well-being severely. Substance-abuse
among senior citizens may be due to intake of harmful substances like alcohol and drugs which
have a negative impact on the body of individual. Malnutrition and obesity is also one of the
major concern of elderly people.
Key issues faced by old adults:
Various health related problems are faced by old citizens which may include suffering
from various diseases. Illness may be mental or physical. Malnutrition is also one of the major
concern which is tolerated by old aged people. This can be because of not following proper diet
or due to any family stress.
LITERATURE REVIEW
In accordance to Parsons and et.al., 2011, most of the old age individuals faces physical
health problems which can be due to consumption of alcohol, smoking or heavy intake of drugs.
Research shows that most of the individuals are guarded by problems like arthritis, heart
diseases, cancer, TIA, bronchitis, HIV, respiratory diseases, etc. These sicknesses can lead to
pain and also lower the quality of life. This make an individual inactive, hopeless and can also
lead to impairment. These problems make a person aggressive and irritated on small things
which affects their personal relationship with loved ones.
2

As per the view of Sherrington and et.al., 2011, senior citizen faces severe mental health
problems which makes them weak and also lowers their power of thinking and making decision.
The most common psychological disease in old age are dementia and depression. Symptoms of
these problems involve anxiety, loss of interest, sleep deceptiveness, sudden change in
behaviour, suicidal thoughts, fear of losing loved ones, jumbled speech, etc. These issues are
raised due to personal health problems or unstable environment in families of old age people.
In opinion of Prince and et.al., 2015, older adults are surrounded by chronic diseases like
COPD, heart-attacks, Alzheimer which is because of poor diet, physical inactivity, consumption
of drugs and marijuana, excessive weight. These diseases can be cured by providing them
person-centred assessment in which keen focus of health care providers is on managing health
conditions of older people. They should be encouraged to participate in physical activities like
yoga, aerobics, dance etc.
In accordance to Cameron and et.al., 2012 people of old age in nursing and residential
homes have continuous change in behaviour. This can be due to their mental or physical health
conditions. Individual with specific health problems need be treated with evidence based best
medical. For dealing with dementia and depression carers need to act as a supporter and should
encourage older adult to share their thoughts and beliefs with them. This would help health
professionals in better understanding of them.
As per the view of Gillespie and et.al., 2009chronic illnesses has profound impact on
health and well-being of elderly people and also reduces their quality of life. Risk of these
problems increases with advancing years. Individuals who are diagnosed with mental and
physical health problems like blood sugar, heart-stroke, depression, suicidal tendencies,
aggressiveness should be given proper education about their disease, so that they can understand
the importance of treatment which can help them in early recovery.
As per the opinion of Krishnan and et.al., 2008, most of the old person suffers from acute
health related problems like hyper tension, obesity, cholesterol, kidney problems. These issues
occur in them due to stress, poor diet, consumption of harmful drinks, smoking, etc. Problems
arising in their age cannot be cured but can be treated with proper support from the family and
friends. Workshops are also conducted for them which helps service users in dealing with stress
and fatigue, increasing their strength and flexibility, managing and understanding medications. It
can help the individuals in fostering health and quality of life.
3

DISCUSSION
Old age people suffers from various health related problems which affects their mental
and physical condition. Diseases like high blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney failure, heart-
attack, COPD, arthritis, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia are often found in this age. These
illnesses can be cured by taking proper medications and treatment from qualified health-
professionals.
Key supports provided to old aged people
Healthy-ageing for elderly person can be managed through measures like following diet
full of nutrition, limited use of alcohol and harmful substances, quitting cigarettes, involvement
in physical activities like yoga, aerobics, dance. These diseases can also be treated when carers
provide them support and encourage sharing their thoughts and beliefs with them or with family
and relatives. Multidisciplinary team consists of psychiatrist, clinical nurses, social workers,
psychologist can also be included for diagnosing patients. Their treatment includes therapies,
counselling, support services and social interventions which helps older adults in easy recovery
from diseases. They also lay emphasis on strengthening the flexibility and ability of patients and
helps them in accessing services and resources required to improve the health and well-being
conditions of old adults.
Recommendation involving evidenced-based practice
Evidence based practice can also help people in improving their health conditions as this
practice is mixture of medical expertise, patient's value, and best research methods used for
taking care of elderly people. Recommendations can be made for using evidence model that can
help individuals in making decisions and also provide support in patient care process (Are
evidenced-based practice and best practice the same, 2017). It also helps in recognising the best
practices is a cure to disease of patients and aim at removing risky methods of treatment.
These practices improvise quality of life of people and also improve patient’s outcome. It
makes vulnerable people understand the situation by sharing proper knowledge over disease. By,
this nurses comes to know about their needs and wants. Health-care professionals also provide
support by giving personal space and creating a healthy bond with patients. Challenges can also
be faced by patient in seeking evidence based medication like non affordability of treatment, no
family support in decision making, low knowledge over nursing practices.
4

CONCLUSION
This is to summarise that essay consists of person-centred assessment which is
considered as the most effective way implementing nursing practices for enabling care plan of
service user. The approach helps the care provider in monitoring and supporting patients as per
individual needs and wants Further, it outlined problems and issues faced by old persons
Physical and mental health are the keen concerns of these old age people. They are surrounded
with various diseases like diabetes, hyper-tension, depression, anxiety and fatigue. These
diseases can be because of heavy consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking etc. Further it
included evidence based practices which can help in providing support to nurses in decision
making process related to treatment and care.
5

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Parsons, S. and et.al., 2011. International review of the evidence on best practice in educational
provision for children and old people on the autism spectrum. European Journal of
Special Needs Education.26(1). pp.47-63.
Sherrington, C. and et.al., 2011. Exercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated meta-
analysis and best practice recommendations. New South Wales public health
bulletin.22(4). pp.78-83.
Prince, M.J.and et.al., 2015. The burden of disease in older people and implications for health
policy and practice. The Lancet. 385(9967). pp.549-562.
Cameron, I.D.G.L. and et.al., 2012. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care
facilities and hospitals. Cochrane database of systematic reviews.12. pp.CD005465-1.
Gillespie, L.D. and et.al., 2009. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the
community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2(2). p.CD007146.
Krishnan, S. and et.al., 2008. Reduction in diabetic amputations over 11 years in a defined UK
population: benefits of multidisciplinary team work and continuous prospective
audit. Diabetes care. 31(1). pp.99-101.
Online
Are evidenced-based practice and best practice the same?. 2017. [ONLINE] Available through:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12148838.
6

APPENDIX-1
1. Could you tell me about yourself and any changes you have noticed as you have grown older?
Study also shows that, as people grow older they notice some major changes in body
functioning and behaviour of environment. Alteration may include fear of losing jobs, separation
from children, low immune system and also need for family increases with whom they want to
spend time.
2. What are some of the best things about growing older for you?
Discussion with older people also revealed that the best thing in their life while growing
old is spending time with person who they love which includes their grandchildren, relatives and
friends. Sense of accomplishment is also one thing which they are proud of.
3. What are some of the hardest things you have found in relation to growing older?
Study also shows the key problems like chronic, mental health conditions and substance
abuse which are being faced by elderly people. Individuals suffer from issues like high blood
pressure, diabetes, heart-attack, increase cholesterol level, obesity. etc. (Sherrington and et.al.,
2011). They may also suffer from psychological disorder due to stress like anxiety, insomnia,
depression, fatigue, hopelessness, inability to pay attention.
4. What is important for you now and into the future? Do you foresee any need for support in
achieving these goals?
Discussion with old age people shows that most important thing in their life is love and
support of their family.
5. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your health and well-being?
Discussion with senior citizens shows that after advancing age they face various
problems related to their health. Issues may be physical or mental.
Summary of discussion
Essay shows discussion about various health related and behavioural changes which are
faced by people of old age. It familiarises with changes that occur to them. Individual believes
that the best past of advancing age is to be closed to their loved ones and spending time with. It
also makes them empathic and devoted to their family and friends. Various mental and physical
problems are also faced by people of this age which affects their health and well-being.
Individuals of this age are suffering from physical and psychological problems like heart-attack,
bronchitis, arthritis, hyper-tension, diabetes, kidney problems, COPD, obesity, anxiety,
7

depression etc. These issues can be faced by them due to various reasons like heavy consumption
of alcohol, smoking cigarettes, marijuana, poor diet, no physical activities. It can lead them to
pain and lowers quality of life. Diseases can be cured by involvement of multidisciplinary team
like nurses, health-care professionals who can provide them with therapies for easy recovery of
them. Evidence best practices can also be used to help them in making decision related to life
and strengthening their ability to face problems.
APPENDIX-2
8

Authors Study
design
Sample Intervention Findings Implications
List authors according to the
UTS Referencing Policy
(Harvard Style)
Eg,
Randomised
controlled
trial, cohort
study,
descriptive,
non-
randomised
trials etc
Eg, Sample
description
(number of
participants,
age, gender
etc),
inclusion
and
exclusion
criteria
What did the study do
and why did they
choose this approach?
What did the study
find following their
intervention?
What evidence
does this study
provide to inform
and support your
care planning for
this older person?
Parsons, S. and et.al.,
2011.
International
review of the
evidence on
best practice
in educational
provision for
children and
old people on
the autism
spectrum. Eur
opean Journal
of Special
Needs
Education.26(
1). pp.47-63.
Descriptive
study
design
Age,
income
and sex
This approach is
selected to know
about the
effectiveness of
evidence best
practices on
children and old
people.
Study found
that older
people suffers
problem
mentally and
psychologically
It helps them
in making
decision and
provides
them
emotional
and friendly
support.
Sherrington, C. and
et.al., 2011. Exercise
to prevent falls in older
adults: an updated
Non
randomised
trial
Age 49-
60
This approach is
selected to
prevent older
people from
diseases like
heart-attack,
cholesterol etc.
Study found
that most of the
individuals of
this age suffer
from various
physical
problems
It helps them
in adhered
with various
types of
therapy to
improve their
health
conditions.
9

meta-analysis and best
practice
recommendations. New
South Wales public
health bulletin.22(4).
pp.78-83.
Cameron, I.D.G.L. and
et.al., 2012.
Interventions
for preventing
falls in older
people in care
facilities and
hospitals. Coc
hrane
database of
systematic
reviews.12.
pp.CD005465
-1.
Descriptive Age,
income,
sex,
family
status
This study is
selected to know
about various
problems like
loneliness which
is faced in old
age
Study found
out loneliness
is one of the
major problems
in older adults
This research
helps in
understanding
thoughts and
beliefs of
older people.
Bohlmeijer, E. and
et.al., 2010.
The effects of
mindfulness-
based stress
reduction
therapy on
mental health
of adults with
a chronic
medical
disease: a
Descriptive age This model is
selected in order
to make people
aware about
reduction
therapy among
old age people
Research
shows that old
age people
suffer from
various
problems like
depression,
anxiety etc.
This research
helps in
preventing
problems
related to
mental health
conditions.
10

meta-analysis.
Journal of
psychosomatic
research. 68(6
). pp.539-544.
Gillespie, L.D. and
et.al., 2009.
Interventions
for preventing
falls in older
people living
in the
community. C
ochrane
Database Syst
Rev.2(2).
p.CD007146.
Descriptive Age,
gender,
income
status
This study is
selected to
know about
various
symptoms of
dementia
Study shows
that old adults
suffer from this
due to family
or personal
stress.
This study
helps them in
supporting
and taking
care for easy
recovery of
this disease.
Krishnan, S., Nash, F.,
Baker, N.,
Fowler, D.
and Rayman,
G., 2008.
Reduction in
diabetic
amputations
over 11 years
in a defined
UK
population:
benefits of
multidisciplin
ary team work
and
continuous
Non
randomised
trial
age This study is
done to know
about benefits of
multidisciplinary
team for old age
people
Study shows
that this team
help old age
people in
improving their
quality of life
It makes them
follow
procedures
which
improves
their mental
and physical
health
conditions.
11

prospective
audit. Diabete
s care. 31(1).
pp.99-101.
12