Health Assessment – DQ3
After reviewing the Psychosocial Care of the Elderly source found in the Learning Materials in Module 3, discuss surprising facts about the psychosocial care of the aging. Did you originally consider any of these as myths, when in reality they are based on evidence? How can nurses influence attitudes among caregivers and the public about aging? Health Assessment Essay Assignment Paper
Psychosocial care is nothing new in nursing, especially in the face of globalization that has increasingly placed nurses under greater pressure to provide care that is culturally sensitive to include elements of spiritual, social and psychological care in therapeutic communications. A surprising fact in psychosocial care is that it is not only about providing spiritual care, spiritual care, support and showing empathy to the patient. It extends to showing the same considerations to the patient’s family members. Furthermore, the provision of psychosocial care to elderly patients require communication between the nurse, patient and family as well as communication among medical personnel. Also, it involves multidisciplinary care as well as collaboration between the medical personnel. While the provision of psychosocial care for aging populations is preferable alongside other nursing care responsibilities, these efforts are hindered by barriers that include fear of complaints, lack of family involvement, excessive documentation, being task oriented, language barriers, and lack of time (Chen et al., 2017).
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Even as nurses provide psychosocial care within range of activities, there is a need to promote positive ageing and confront ageism. Positive ageing involves recognizing that attitudes and mindset has an effect on emotional and physical wellbeing as an individual ages. Through maintaining a positive attitude, an individual can engage fully in life, keep healthy and fit, and feel good about himself/herself in the process of aging. Many cultures have a negative idea about ageing, expecting that elderly persons will automatically experience more cases of ill health as they age. This culture is internalized thereby increases the odds of elderly persons experiencing depression and ill health. Practicing positive ageing combats this negative culture by promoting the positive aspects of ageing. This is achieved through three approaches. Firstly, applying stress management technique that effectively relieve stress, such as attending therapy, breathing exercises and medication. Secondly, maintaining a healthy social life as this helps in providing a good social support system while avoiding loneliness. Thirdly, incorporating physical activity into daily routines. The three strategies ensure a positive attitude that improves quality of life (Touhy & Jett, 2022).
In addition to the mentioned approaches that promote positive ageing, there is a need to apply strategies for confronting ageism. Ageism involves discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping people on the basis of age. When directed against elderly persons, ageism has a negatively impacts their wellbeing and health, as well as the quality of health care received. In fact, ageism contributes to slower recovery from illness, poor functional health and mortality risk. Among health professionals, ageist stereotypes and attitudes result in discriminatory practices that places elderly persons at risk resulting in negative health outcomes. For instance, assumptions regarding cognitive and functional decline can lead to medical personnel excluding elderly persons from clinical trials, withholding certain treatment options, and providing limited medical information. Furthermore, ageism causes elderly persons to be excluded from meaningful roles and relationships, resulting in social exclusion that acts as a chronic stressor that compromises health. An appropriate strategy should confront ageism by targeting comfort, knowledge and attitudes towards elderly persons. Also, the strategy should combine elements of intergenerational contact and education to improve attitudes towards elderly persons (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2020).
References
Chen, C. S., Chan, S. W-C., Chan, M. F., Yap, S. F., Wang, W., & Kowitlawakul, Y. (2017). Nurses’ Perceptions of Psychosocial Care and Barriers to Its Provision: A Qualitative Study. The Journal of Nursing Research: JNR, 25(6), 411-418. https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000185
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community. Elsevier, Inc.
Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. F. (2022). Ebersole and Hess’ Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging (6th ed.). Elsevier, Inc.
Health Assessment Module 3
Discussion Question:
After reviewing the Psychosocial Care of the Elderly source found in the Learning Materials in Module 3, discuss surprising facts about the psychosocial care of the aging. Did you originally consider any of these as myths, when in reality they are based on evidence? How can nurses influence attitudes among caregivers and the public about aging?
Instructions:
Meet the word requirement fully for all required posts. Any initial post less than 400 words will be docked points. Word count does not include the references at the bottom – most students miss points here by counting the references in their word count.
- All questions posed are answered fully in detail. Spelling and grammar are without errors.
- The directions state to use at least one scholarly source (9/1/16 or more recent) other than the textbook and cite in text in APA and reference in APA at the bottom.
- Correct APA is required in citations and references. All citations must have a reference and all references must be cited in the text.
Readings/Learning Materials:
Older adults are in the developmental stage of Ego Integrity vs. Despair according to Eric Ericson. According to Erikson, the ego develops as it successfully resolves crises that are distinctly social in nature. These involve establishing a sense of trust in others, developing a sense of identity in society, and helping the next generation prepare for the future. Nurses who work with a primarily elderly population, are in a wonderful position to help foster ego integrity with the patients in which they interact.
In this Module, you will identify strategies to foster Ego Integrity in elderly patients.
Health Assessment Essay Assignment Paper