Adult Health IV: Reflections on the Older Adult
As each day passes we all continue to grow older. It is inevitable and one of the few things we are certain of. Our bodies will go through many changes, some of us dealing with multiple chronic illnesses, comorbidities, and life changes. As a new nurse entering the field, I would be honored to implement some of the interventions and knowledge learned to improve the quality of life of the older adults I will encounter.
As we learned in class, a huge percentage of the older population rely solely on Social Security Income benefits which simply is often barely enough to live at or above the poverty line. I will make sure I collaborate with other professionals (social work and case management) to ensure my patients receive the financial resources to improve their quality of life. With that being said, I know that one pricey aspect of their life may include payment of multiple medications. One way to help lessen the impact that polypharmacy has on their retirement fund is by performing a thorough medication reconciliation with them. By updating their most current medications list we can decrease the amount of medication errors as well as the cost of prescriptions for these patients.
Another thing I will take into consideration when caring for the older adult is the importance of allowing them to do as much as they can on their own as long as they are able to do so safely. This can be anything as simple as performing their activities of daily living or performing their IADLs. Doing these movements on their own will help prevent inactivity and promote their musculoskeletal health but will also promote their independence and self-concept.
All in all, it is important to be mindful of our own biases and always treat every patient with the respect and compassionate care they deserve, keeping in mind their physical well-being but also implementing strategies to promote their psychosocial wellbeing as well.
Image Source: https://www.nursingce.com/ceu-courses/geriatric-assessment-for-aprns
