The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

 

The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center made the following notation about a client: A 74-year-old female client wearing eyeglasses with bifocal lenses and hearing aid in her left ear. Walks with a shuffling gait, using a cane for support. Wearing house slippers and housedress. The Older Adult States, “My other doctor says I should have my eyes looked at by an expert. It’s been a while, and my eyes seem to be acting up lately. I can’t see so good anymore.”The Older Adult  The client states that she takes medication for “sugar” and her blood pressure and has worn glasses for years with the last prescription changed about 3 years ago.

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“I was a seamstress for many years and quit when I couldn’t see to thread the needles anymore-just in time too. These new materials are too hard to work with!” Denies using any eye drops.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay. Describes vision changes as difficulty seeing well at night, especially if trying to read. Uses a magnifying glass to help when reading. No eye pain or discharge, although eyes sometimes feel “dry and scratchy,” with the left eye being worse than the right. Admits to rubbing eyes but without relief. Develop a Plan of Care for this patient that includes: 2 Nursing Diagnosis 2 goals for each Nursing Diagnosis Interventions with rationales Please make an initial post by midweek, and respond to at least two other student’s posts with substantial details that demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, and critical thinking. Remember that your posts must exhibit appropriate writing mechanics including using proper language, cordiality, and proper grammar and punctuation. If you refer to any outside sources or reference materials be sure to provide proper attribution and/or citation.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Geriatric staff nurses focus on caring for older adults. As the U.S. population ages, this career is in high demand. According to the U.S. Census, by 2050 more than 20% of Americans—88 million people—will be over age 65. Yet less than 1% of registered nurses and 3% of advanced practice registered nurses are certified in geriatrics, according to the American Geriatric Society.

Geriatric nurses are educated to understand and treat the often complex physical and mental health needs of older people. They try to help their patients protect their health and cope with changes in their mental and physical abilities, so older people can stay independent and active as long as possible.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Geriatric nurses must enjoy working with older people. They must be patient, listen extremely carefully and balance the needs of their patients with sometimes conflicting demands from family members.

When working with their patients, a geriatric nurse will:

• Assess the patient’s mental status and cognitive (thinking) skills
• Understand patient’s acute and chronic health issues
• Discuss common health concerns, such as falls, incontinence, changing sleep patterns and sexual issues
• Organize medications
• Educate the patient about personal safety and disease prevention
• Explain and recommend adjustments to the patient’s medication regimen to ensure adherence
• Link the patient with local resources as needed

Many older people have health conditions that do not require hospitalization, but must be treated with medication, changes in diet, use of special equipment (such as a blood sugar monitor or walker), daily exercises or other adaptations. Geriatric nurses help design and explain these healthcare regimens to patients and their families. They often function as “case managers,” linking families with community resources to help them care for elderly members.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Working Conditions

Geriatric nurses work in a variety of practice settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, senior centers, retirement communities and patients’ homes. They often work as part of a care team that includes physicians, social workers, nursing aides, physical and occupational therapists and other caring professionals.

In hospitals, geriatric nurses tend to work with treatment teams that have large older patient populations, such as outpatient surgery, cardiology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, dermatology and geriatric mental health (treating older patients with psychiatric conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, anxiety and depression).

In rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, geriatric nurses manage patient care from initial assessment through development, implementation and evaluation of the care plan. They may also take on administrative, training and leadership roles.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

 

Salary Range and Outlook

Because of the aging population, there is increasing demand for geriatric nurses, especially in nursing homes and health care facilities that have a high older patient population. Bilingual nurses, particularly those fluent in both Spanish and English, are needed. The average salary for a geriatric nurse is $63,382, but salaries vary greatly depending on your experience, education and where you work.

Academic Requirements

In preparation for a career in geriatric nurses, many individuals volunteer at a local senior center, nursing home or hospice and seek experiences working with patients who have mobility issues, sensory (hearing and sight) deficits, cognitive impairments, and chronic and terminal disease. It is important to assess your ability to handle the physical and emotional challenges of working with patients who may not ever “get well.”The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

To become a geriatric nurse, you must become a registered nurse by first earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at an accredited four-year college or an associate degree or diploma. After graduation, you must pass a national licensing exam called the NCLEX-RN before you can practice as a nurse.

Once you have gained some work experience, you can pursue certification as a geriatric nurse. With additional education at the graduate level, you can become a gerontological nurse practitioner or geriatric clinical nurse specialist. Graduate education is typically required for specialist, administrative or supervisory roles, and for geriatric nursing research.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

The stairs are getting so hard to climb.

“Since my wife died, I just open a can of soup for dinner.

“I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home.

These are common issues for older people. You may share the often-heard wish—”I want to stay in my own home!” The good news is that with the right help you might be able to do just that. Staying in your own home as you get older is called “aging in place.” This article contains suggestions to help you find the help you need to continue to live independently.

How to Plan Ahead to Age in Place

Planning ahead is hard because you never know how your needs might change. The first step is to think about the kinds of help you might want in the near future. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home who is available to help you. Maybe you don’t need help right now, but you live with a spouse or family member who does. Everyone has a different situation.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

One way to begin planning is to look at any illnesses, like diabetes or emphysema, that you or your spouse might have. Talk with your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of him- or herself in the future. If you’re a caregiver for an older adult, learn how you can get them the support they need to stay in their own home.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

What Support Can Help Me Age at Home?

You can get almost any type of help you want in your home—often for a cost. You can get more information on many of the services listed here from your local Area Agency on Aging, local and State offices on aging or social services, tribal organization, or nearby senior center.

Personal care. Is bathing, washing your hair, or dressing getting harder to do? Maybe a relative or friend could help. Or, you could hire a trained aide for a short time each day.

Household chores. Do you need help with chores like housecleaning, yard work, grocery shopping, or laundry? Some grocery stores and drug stores will take your order over the phone and bring the items to your home. There are cleaning and yard services you can hire, or maybe someone you know has a housekeeper or gardener to suggest. Some housekeepers will help with laundry. Some drycleaners will pick up and deliver your clothes.

Meals. Worried that you might not be eating nutritious meals or tired of eating alone? Sometimes you could share cooking with a friend or have a potluck dinner with a group of friends. Find out if meals are served at a nearby senior center or house of worship. Eating out may give you a chance to visit with others. Is it hard for you to get out? Ask someone to bring you a healthy meal a few times a week. Meal delivery programs bring hot meals into your home; some of these programs are free or low-cost.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Money management. Do you worry about paying bills late or not at all? Are health insurance forms confusing? Maybe you can get help with these tasks. Ask a trusted relative to lend a hand. Volunteers, financial counselors, or geriatric care managers can also help. Just make sure you get the referral from a trustworthy source, like your local Area Agency on Aging. If you use a computer, you could pay your bills online. Check with your bank about this option. Some people have regular bills, like utilities and rent or mortgage, paid automatically from their checking account.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Be careful to avoid money scams. Never give your Social Security number, bank or credit card numbers, or other sensitive information to someone on the phone (unless you placed the call) or in response to an email. Always check all bills, including utility bills, for charges you do not recognize.

Even though you might not need it now, think about giving someone you trust permission to discuss your bills with creditors or your Social Security or Medicare benefits with those agencies. Learn more about legal and financial planning for older adults.

Health care. Do you forget to take your medicine? There are devices available to remind you when it is time for your next dose. Special pill boxes allow you or someone else to set out your pills for an entire week. Have you just gotten out of the hospital and still need nursing care at home for a short time? The hospital discharge planner can help you make arrangements, and Medicare might pay for a home health aide to come to your home.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

If you can’t remember what the doctor told you to do, try to have someone go to your doctor visits with you. Ask them to write down everything you are supposed to do or, if you are by yourself, ask the doctor to put all recommendations in writing.

Common Concerns About Aging in Place

If staying in your home is important to you, you may still have concerns about safety, getting around, or other activities of daily life. Find suggestions below to help you think about some of these worries.

Getting around—at home and in town. Are you having trouble walking? Perhaps a walker would help. If you need more, think about getting an electric chair or scooter. These are sometimes covered by Medicare. Do you need someone to go with you to the doctor or shopping? Volunteer escort services may be available. If you are no longer driving a car, find out if there are free or low-cost public transportation and taxis in your area. Maybe a relative, friend, or neighbor would take you along when they go on errands or do yours for you. To learn about resources in your community, contact Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free) or https://eldercare.acl.gov.

Finding activities and friends. Are you bored staying at home? Your local senior center offers a variety of activities. You might see friends there and meet new people too. Is it hard for you to leave your home? Maybe you would enjoy visits from someone. Volunteers are sometimes available to stop by or call once a week. They can just keep you company, or you can talk about any problems you are having. Call your local Area Agency on Aging to see if they are available near you.

Safety concerns. Are you worried about crime in your neighborhood, physical abuse, or losing money as a result of a scam? Talk to the staff at your local Area Agency on Aging. If you live alone, are you afraid of becoming sick with no one around to help? You might want to get an emergency alert system. You just push a special button that you wear, and emergency medical personnel are called. There is typically a monthly fee for this service.

Housing concerns. Would a few changes make your home easier and safer to live in? Think about things like a ramp at the front door, grab bars in the tub or shower, nonskid floors, more comfortable handles on doors or faucets, and better insulation. Sound expensive? You might be able to get help paying for these changes. Check with your local Area Agency on Aging, State housing finance agency, welfare department, community development groups, or the Federal Government.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Getting help during the day. Do you need care but live with someone who can’t stay with you during the day? For example, maybe they work. Adult day care outside the home is sometimes available for older people who need help caring for themselves. The day care center can pick you up and bring you home. If your caretaker needs to get away overnight, there are places that provide temporary respite care.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Resources to Help You Age in Place

Here are some resources to start with:

Reach out to people you know. Family, friends, and neighbors are the biggest source of help for many older people. Talk with those close to you about the best way to get what you need. If you are physically able, think about trading services with a friend or neighbor. One could do the grocery shopping, and the other could cook dinner, for example.

Learn about community and local government resources. Learn about the services in your community. Healthcare providers and social workers may have suggestions. The local Area Agency on Aging, local and State offices on aging or social services, and your tribal organization may have lists of services. If you belong to a religious group, talk with the clergy, or check with its local office about any senior services they offer.

Talk to geriatric care managers. These specially trained professionals can help find resources to make your daily life easier. They will work with you to form a long-term care plan and find the services you need. Geriatric care managers can be helpful when family members live far apart. Learn more about geriatric care managers.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.

Look into Federal Government sources. The Federal Government offers many resources for seniors. Longtermcare.gov, from the Administration for Community Living, is a good place to start.The Older Adult A nurse at the local Senior Center Essay.