healthy aging Flashcards
(24 cards)
continuing care
home care = make regular visits to their home to assist with hygiene and other needs
supportive living = allow them to still be independent while providing some types of care
long term care = provide more specialized care
hospice or end of life care
other services = adult day programs, rehabilitative or restorative care, medical assistance program
communicating with older adults
attentive listening authentic presence non-judgmental attitude cultural competence clarifying giving information seeking validation of understanding keeping focus using open-ended questions
inappropriate or ineffective communication
associated with multiple negative outcomes decreased function miscommunication depression falls loss of self-esteem safety risks cognitive decline
what to avoid when communicating
offering cliche responses giving advice answering your own questions giving excessive praise or reprimands defending against a complaint using parenting approaches or behaviours elderspeak
foundational nursing interventions
learn more about ageism and discrimination
examine own values and beliefs around aging
identify and speak up on myths and misinformation
build intergenerational bridges to promote understanding
learn more about healthy active aging
listen to older adults who have experienced ageism
cognitive abilities and aging: formal operations
perception = ability to interpret the environment, depends on acuteness of senses, effect of changes in cognitive structures unknown, importance of lifelong mental activity
cognitive agility = change in speed, abilities remain
memory = retrieval from long term memory increased, most change in short term memory
language = additional time required, motivation is important
developmental tasks of older adults: integrity vs despair
discover and participate in fulfilling activities to fill their time
sustain a sense of usefulness, doing something worthwhile
adjust to multiple losses
reflection, retrospection/life review
contemplating, facing own morbidity/mortality
success = fulfillment and enjoyment
failure = regret, bitterness and despair
nurses must consider
hearing impairment
visual impairment
neurological impairment
cognitive impairment
hearing impairment strategies for communication
hearing aids = personal amplifying system
cochlear implants = surgically implanted in the mastoid bone behind the ear, electrically stimulated the cochlea, setting the cilia in motion, transmitting impulses along the auditory nerve to the brain’s hearing centre
assisted listening devices = enhance face-to-face communication, understanding of speech in large rooms
tone and level (shouting increases pitch, moderate speech speed), positioning (face individual at their level, determine side of hearing impairment), environment (reduce background noise, lighting), non verbal (gestures, pictures, written material), verify (clarifying questions, pausing)
vision impairment strategies for communication
insulin delivery systems, talking clocks/watches, large-print books, magnifiers, telescopes (handheld or mounted), electronic magnification through closed-circuit television or computer software, software that converts text into artificial voice output (talking books)
tone and level (identify self, moderate speech speed/tone), positioning (face individual at their level), environment (reduce background noise, lighting to eliminate glare, room arrangement), printed material (large dark print)
neurological impairment strategies for communication: APHASIA
explain situations and treatments, avoid patronizing and childish phrases, be patient, allow plenty of time to communicate in a quiet environment, speak naturally/slowly/ask one question at a time and wait for a response, include the person in social gatherings and conversations, ask questions that can be answered with a nod or the blink of an eye, use close-ended questions, responses written on paper, be honest, speak of things familiar to and of interest to the person, use visual cues/objects/pictures/gestures/touch as well as words, Wernicke’s aphasia = listen and watch for the bits of information that emerge from the words/facial expressions/gestures, ignore the non words, encourage all speech, use augmentative communication devices, consistent care
nursing interventions
nutrition and oral care constipation hydration and continence skin and feet mobility/fall prevention grief and loss medication abuse and neglect caregivers
nutrition and oral care
swallowing, assistive devices, feeding assistance (manual), denture care and teeth, environment, teaching, nutritional assessment, collaboration with interprofessional team
dysphagia = supervision at meals, food consistency, positioning during meals and after, dentures, cueing, suctioning equipment available
constipation
medication review, diet (fibre, fluid intake), exercise, positioning during defecation, stool chart, bowel routine (promote regularity), medications (laxatives, stool softeners, bulking agents, osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, saline laxatives), enemas (NS/tap H2O, oil retention), fecal impaction removal
bowel incontinence
environment, diet, bowel schedule, stool chart, mobility, sphincter-training exercises, skin care, medications, surgery
hydration
calculate a daily fluid goal, compare current intake to fluid goal to evaluate hydration status, perform fluid regulation and documentation, provide fluids consistently throughout the day, plan for at-risk individuals
skin and feet
goals = eliminate friction and irritation, reduce moisture, displace body weight to facilitate circulation
fungal infections = limit the conditions that encourage growth, clean and dry, prompt management of incontinent episodes, avoid incontinence products
pressure ulcers = positions and transferring (friction/shear), protective barriers, appropriate dressings, documentation and assessment tools, clean and dry, prompt management of incontinent episodes
foot care = toenails, footwear
mobility/fall prevention
exercise, diet, environmental modifications, medication review, behaviour and educational programs, assistive devices, restraints, side rails, assessment tools
post fall = immediate care, assessment, revise and implement individualized risk-reduction interventions
grief and loss
anticipatory guidance = must consider grief, loss, illness trajectory, SEDoHs
advanced care planning
post mortem care
end of life care/nursing interventions families have found helpful
end of life care/nursing interventions families have found helpful = kept them informed, asked how they were doing and offered support, put an arm around them when they cried, brought them food, knew their name, cried with them, brought a bed and encouraged them to stay in the room with their dying spouse, told them to hold their dying spouses hand, held their hand, got the chaplain for them, let them take care of their spouse, stayed with them after their shift was over
medication
pharmacokinetics = absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
polypharmacy = concurrent use of several different medications, medication interactions (medications may potentiate each other, more effective or less effective), adverse drug reactions (unwanted pharmacological effect)
review all medications (prescriptions, over the counter, vitamins, herbal supplements), complete a medication reconciliation
patient education = identify key people, environment, time, communication, reinforce, evaluate, safety
beers criteria = 3 categories of medications
potentially inappropriate medications and classes to avoid in older adults
- potentially inappropriate medications and classes to avoid in older adults with certain diseases and syndromes that the drugs listed can exacerbate
- medications to be used with caution in older adults
abuse and neglect
nurses must be vigilant in their sensitivity to the potential for abuse, observe for signs and symptoms in all interactions with older adults
comprehensive assessment = safety of the victim, desires of the victim (if competent)
caregivers
goals = to reduce caregiver burnout, increase overall well-being of the caregiver, increase knowledge of the caregiver
assessment tools, psychoeducational, supportive, respite, psychotherapy, multicomponent
