Identify the issues related to aging that are apparent in the case study and how
ID: 126997 • Letter: I
Question
Identify the issues related to aging that are apparent in the case study and how you, as a nurse, would deal with the situation in a way that would promote healthy aging but also address the risks and benefits of the situation.
Risk Analysis Case Study
Jackie’s Story
My name is Jackie. I am 81 years old and I currently live alone in my own home. One of my daughters and my son live in town. My son is only ten minutes away. Any time I have a problem one of them comes to help right away and my youngest daughter who lives 50 miles away comes over once a week to help me with my laundry and household chores. Over the years I have had many doctors who have told me I have many sicknesses, like high blood pressure. I take pills for that so it stays in control. The doctor wanted me to take a pill for my cholesterol but I won’t take that anymore. It makes my pain worse and I feel lousy all the time. I have had arthritis for years; my doctor says it is the kind that causes lots of pain in my bones. I also need to wear Depends because I dribble. And I get a lot of infections in my urine and when I get the infection I can’t remember things and I get nervous.
You know, a few years ago, when I had a urine infection I fell in my home three times in one day. I had to call my daughter to come and help me; I was OK but I jest kept falling and tripping. So of course they took me to the hospital for so many tests and nothing really showed up except for another infection. Another time I drove my car around town for a long time; my daughter told me that I drove for over six hours. All I remember is going to a physical therapy appointment and then the police stopped me saying I was going the wrong way on a one way street. They had to call m y daughter to come get me. It was bad and I had to go to the hospital and a rehabilitation center in a nursing home for a very long time. But when it was all over I came home and actually I have been doing pretty well on my own for until I went outside to bring in the recycling bin and when I bent over I fell into the bin breaking my nose and cutting my face. I don’t remember falling. I think I passed out. My neighbor saw me and called 911. After they stitched under my eye and did a scan to see if my eye was also fractured (it wasn’t) they did a whole bunch of tests on my heart to see why I passed out. They never could find anything wrong.
In March of 2008, I was changing my clothes in my bedroom and tripped over my comforter and fell. I knew I was hurt bad because I could not get up. Thank goodness Tom, then handyman, heard me screaming and called 911. Evidently, I fractured my left leg and right arm really bad because they said the bone was all crumbled and they had to put rods and pins in to hold it together. They had to give me four pints of blood for all of the bleeding. I had to go to rehab for four months until I was able to walk again. They wouldn’t let me put any weight on my leg or arm and I was in a wheelchair for a long time. And wouldn’t you know it I got another infection in my urine. Every time they put a catheter in me that happens, and then I get so confused. My daughter tells me I was really confused. I guess I lost a couple of weeks because I don’t remember the hospital or the first couple of weeks in rehab. Once I was able to show them I could walk on my own and care for myself, they let me go home. I had my friend Betsy stay with me for about six months until I was well again.
I was doing pretty well but my leg was hurting more and actually bowing out. The doctor told me that the rods and pins were coming loose and had to be replaced or I might lose my leg. They had to go in and replace my bone with part of someone else’s and put new screws to hold it in place. I was in a lot of pain after the surgery but I don’t remember much. I always seem to get so confused after these surgeries. I went to rehab again for three months. This time my oldest daughter, who lives four hours away, came to stay with me for a couple of weeks until she was sure I would be okay on my own. I enjoy having her here but she makes me eat big meals. I force myself to eat when she is here and can’t wait for her to leave so I can just go back to my pretzels, fruit, and chocolate ice cream.
My pain is tolerable. If I take the pain pills, my son won’t let me drive and I want to go to the library and grocery store when I want. At time I have trouble falling asleep and I read until I get sleepy, but sometimes that doesn’t happen until 3 am. I also set the alarm during the night to get up to go to the bathroom so I don’t wake up in a wet bed in the morning. All in all, I think I am doing pretty well.
Explanation / Answer
ISSUES RELATED TO AGING
OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME ; more than 40% of adults are at risk of developing obesity and metabolic disorders due to increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol level, menopause. best way of fight with it is exercise, reducing alcohol intake, avoidance of sweetened foods.
ARTHRITIS ; leading cause of disability in elderly population.
OSTEOPOROSIS AND FALLS ; commonly seen in women. healthy behaviours and treatment at appropriate time can reduce the condition.stop smoking and alcohol consumption, get plenty of calcium, limit the acidic content food.
CANCER ; risk of developing cancer increases with the age. should practice healthy diet, regular screening .
VISION AND HEARING LOSS ; muscular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinpathy and glaucoma are age related eye disease.. taking vitamin supplements smoking cessation will reduce these conditions.
TEETH ; brushing twise a day, flossing daily to remove plaque, and visit dentist regulary are adviced to avoid teeth related problems and for dental health.
MENTAL HEALTH ; staying mentally advisable. alzheimers disease is one of the common age related problem. memory loss, depression, suicide approach are other common problems. proper health education and counscelling is vital.