ASSESSING AND PLANNING CARE FOR AN ELDERLY 1
PERSON
Assessing and Planning Care for an Elderly
Person South University
Gerontological Nursing
NSG4067
,ASSESSING AND PLANNING CARE FOR AN ELDERLY 2
PERSON
A comparison of age-related changes of the older person interviewed and assessed with those
identified in this week’s reading assignment
One of the age-related changes noted during the assessment is the risk of falls for the patient.
The Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation established that the patient has a high risk of falling during his
routine movements. He needs assistance, though minimal, when getting up from a chair and getting out
of bed. Though he cannot swiftly get up from a chair or the bed, with a little support he is able to get
up. This is because ligaments and tendons in his bone have become less elastic due to aging therefore
leaving the joints stiff and tight.
The Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living assessment revealed that the patient is able to
performing all the tasks that pertain to grooming and feeding on his own. He is able to take a bath
without assistance, empty his bowels and clean up afterwards, control urination, and feed without help.
This is good as it means that he can be left alone in the house and does not need babysitting. This
allows other members of the family to go about their daily duties without worry. He is also able to
avoid embarrassment as not being able to do the simplest of tasks like cleaning up after a bowel
movement can be quite embarrassing.
The Barthel Index Test also affirms the patient’s independence in performing simple tasks. He
only needs a little help while getting up the stairs and the chair. During the interview, he stated that he
takes a daily walk that helps strengthen his bones. His is also on a healthy diet, as he has to manage his
diabetes. The large portions of fruits and green leafy vegetables that he incorporates in his diet also
help strengthen his bones as they contain calcium and potassium. More interventions are still needed to
help him effectively manage his diabetic condition that will involve him, members of his family and
the local health workers.
, ASSESSING AND PLANNING CARE FOR AN ELDERLY 3
PERSON
Issues Identified During Data Analysis
During the data analysis, I identified the following issues
1. The patient manages his diabetes without support from his family. It is his personal
responsibility to measure his blood glucose. No one in his family monitors him while taking his
medication. He also does not have a partner to accompany him in his exercise routine.
2. Other family members are not aware that they are also predisposed to diabetes. This was
revealed during the interview when he said that his granddaughter is overweight. In a family with a
history of diabetes, being overweight predisposes one to the disease.
3. The house has to be safe and secure for the patient to aid in his easy movement to avoid falls.
The patient’s Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation revealed that he has a high risk of falls. The living
area therefore has to be safe for him to avoid falling and injuring himself in the process. Due to his age,
even a small fall can lead to a fracture, as his bones are not as strong as they used to be.
4. He needs to add supplements to aid in strengthening his bones and avoid osteoarthritis.
Bone density diminishes with age, in addition to a healthy diet, he needs to take food supplements to
strengthen his bones and avoid fractures in case of a fall.
Health Alterations and their Interventions
1. Family Support
Managing diabetes requires the input of not only the patient but also members of his family.
Members of the patient’s family should first learn how to measure blood glucose. They should be
able to help the patient perform this task with ease. Secondly, they should know the symptoms to look
out for during high blood sugar episodes. In this way, they are supposed to know the action to take
during such episodes. They should be able to intervene and bring down the blood sugar without going
to the doctor. Thirdly, they should also adapt to a change in diet and help the patient in eating healthy.
They
PERSON
Assessing and Planning Care for an Elderly
Person South University
Gerontological Nursing
NSG4067
,ASSESSING AND PLANNING CARE FOR AN ELDERLY 2
PERSON
A comparison of age-related changes of the older person interviewed and assessed with those
identified in this week’s reading assignment
One of the age-related changes noted during the assessment is the risk of falls for the patient.
The Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation established that the patient has a high risk of falling during his
routine movements. He needs assistance, though minimal, when getting up from a chair and getting out
of bed. Though he cannot swiftly get up from a chair or the bed, with a little support he is able to get
up. This is because ligaments and tendons in his bone have become less elastic due to aging therefore
leaving the joints stiff and tight.
The Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living assessment revealed that the patient is able to
performing all the tasks that pertain to grooming and feeding on his own. He is able to take a bath
without assistance, empty his bowels and clean up afterwards, control urination, and feed without help.
This is good as it means that he can be left alone in the house and does not need babysitting. This
allows other members of the family to go about their daily duties without worry. He is also able to
avoid embarrassment as not being able to do the simplest of tasks like cleaning up after a bowel
movement can be quite embarrassing.
The Barthel Index Test also affirms the patient’s independence in performing simple tasks. He
only needs a little help while getting up the stairs and the chair. During the interview, he stated that he
takes a daily walk that helps strengthen his bones. His is also on a healthy diet, as he has to manage his
diabetes. The large portions of fruits and green leafy vegetables that he incorporates in his diet also
help strengthen his bones as they contain calcium and potassium. More interventions are still needed to
help him effectively manage his diabetic condition that will involve him, members of his family and
the local health workers.
, ASSESSING AND PLANNING CARE FOR AN ELDERLY 3
PERSON
Issues Identified During Data Analysis
During the data analysis, I identified the following issues
1. The patient manages his diabetes without support from his family. It is his personal
responsibility to measure his blood glucose. No one in his family monitors him while taking his
medication. He also does not have a partner to accompany him in his exercise routine.
2. Other family members are not aware that they are also predisposed to diabetes. This was
revealed during the interview when he said that his granddaughter is overweight. In a family with a
history of diabetes, being overweight predisposes one to the disease.
3. The house has to be safe and secure for the patient to aid in his easy movement to avoid falls.
The patient’s Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation revealed that he has a high risk of falls. The living
area therefore has to be safe for him to avoid falling and injuring himself in the process. Due to his age,
even a small fall can lead to a fracture, as his bones are not as strong as they used to be.
4. He needs to add supplements to aid in strengthening his bones and avoid osteoarthritis.
Bone density diminishes with age, in addition to a healthy diet, he needs to take food supplements to
strengthen his bones and avoid fractures in case of a fall.
Health Alterations and their Interventions
1. Family Support
Managing diabetes requires the input of not only the patient but also members of his family.
Members of the patient’s family should first learn how to measure blood glucose. They should be
able to help the patient perform this task with ease. Secondly, they should know the symptoms to look
out for during high blood sugar episodes. In this way, they are supposed to know the action to take
during such episodes. They should be able to intervene and bring down the blood sugar without going
to the doctor. Thirdly, they should also adapt to a change in diet and help the patient in eating healthy.
They
