We all know someone over the age of 65, whether it is our neighbor, our family, or people around our community, geriatrics are all around us. During my rotation at El Centro Regional Medical Center all my patients were over the age of 65. Geriatrics are all around us and they are here to stay. People over the age of 60 are forecasted to double in next five decades. Fertility trends coupled with increased life expectancy contributes to our aging population. Slightly after World War II, our nation’s fertility rate flourished with the baby boomers that affected the United States age composition. (Tabloski, 2014, p.6) The increase in geriatrics will require an increase in geriatric care. Assessing the safety, nutritional, and health needs for geriatrics
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The rate and progression of aging varies depending on the individual. How an individual adapts to aging depends on genetic factors as well as physical and social environments. Some of the declining health issues related to older adults include thickening of the heart muscle, stiffening of arteries, decline in lung capacity, loss of axons in the brain, decreased renal efficiency, decreased capacity of the bladder, increase in body fat, decrease in muscle mass, decrease bone mineral, and cognitive changes. (Tablaski, 2014, p.15) With healthy lifestyles, older people avoid deterioration commonly associated with aging. Older adults experience some limitations, but they learn to live with them and lead happy and productive lives. Many older adults live independently and maintain close relationships with family and friends. Unlike the myth of being old means being sick, many older adults have chronic diseases but are still functional. Depending on the severity of the disease, some older adults may need some assistance. In spite of a decline in physical health, many older adults do not live in long term institutions like nursing homes. According to Capezuti (2012), “older adults are more likely than any other age group to experience complications including delirium, functional decline, pressure ulcers and adverse reactions including fall related inures during hospitalization.” …show more content…
Falls are one of the greatest threats to older adults and can be life threatening. Falls often cause severe disability among survivors. Injuries from falls lead to fear of falling, sedentary behavior impaired function, and lower quality of life. Hip fractures are the most common injuries sustained in falls, but some falls can also result in traumatic brain injury. A sudden bump or jolt to the head of an older person can easily tear cerebral blood vessels and lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and/or functional impairments. One of Healthy People 2020 objective is to prevent an increase in the rate of fall related deaths in older adults. (Tabloski, 2014, p.489) Pain is another factor that impacts health. Older adults may develop exacerbated physical limitations and decreased independence accompanied by pain. Pain is a vicious cycle that can result in negative consequences, including: decreased socialization, withdrawal from daily life, fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritability and physical decondition, and other signs of stress and depression. (Tabloski, 2014, p.213) Obesity, frailty, finances, polypharmacy, elderly abuse, drug abuse and lack of sleep are some of the major factors that contribute to deteriorating of geriatric health. Many of these factors are preventable and manageable. Nurses should build rapport with older adults to promote
The rate and progression of aging varies depending on the individual. How an individual adapts to aging depends on genetic factors as well as physical and social environments. Some of the declining health issues related to older adults include thickening of the heart muscle, stiffening of arteries, decline in lung capacity, loss of axons in the brain, decreased renal efficiency, decreased capacity of the bladder, increase in body fat, decrease in muscle mass, decrease bone mineral, and cognitive changes. (Tablaski, 2014, p.15) With healthy lifestyles, older people avoid deterioration commonly associated with aging. Older adults experience some limitations, but they learn to live with them and lead happy and productive lives. Many older adults live independently and maintain close relationships with family and friends. Unlike the myth of being old means being sick, many older adults have chronic diseases but are still functional. Depending on the severity of the disease, some older adults may need some assistance. In spite of a decline in physical health, many older adults do not live in long term institutions like nursing homes. According to Capezuti (2012), “older adults are more likely than any other age group to experience complications including delirium, functional decline, pressure ulcers and adverse reactions including fall related inures during hospitalization.” …show more content…
Falls are one of the greatest threats to older adults and can be life threatening. Falls often cause severe disability among survivors. Injuries from falls lead to fear of falling, sedentary behavior impaired function, and lower quality of life. Hip fractures are the most common injuries sustained in falls, but some falls can also result in traumatic brain injury. A sudden bump or jolt to the head of an older person can easily tear cerebral blood vessels and lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and/or functional impairments. One of Healthy People 2020 objective is to prevent an increase in the rate of fall related deaths in older adults. (Tabloski, 2014, p.489) Pain is another factor that impacts health. Older adults may develop exacerbated physical limitations and decreased independence accompanied by pain. Pain is a vicious cycle that can result in negative consequences, including: decreased socialization, withdrawal from daily life, fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritability and physical decondition, and other signs of stress and depression. (Tabloski, 2014, p.213) Obesity, frailty, finances, polypharmacy, elderly abuse, drug abuse and lack of sleep are some of the major factors that contribute to deteriorating of geriatric health. Many of these factors are preventable and manageable. Nurses should build rapport with older adults to promote