Question

A 71-year-old ex-construction worker is admitted to a long-term care facility in his hometown. His wife and children are no longer able to provide him care at home since he suffered a brain attack (stroke). He has residual left-sided weakness and dementia. He is unable to walk unassisted and gets confused at times.

Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, how will each of his basic human needs is met in the long-term care facility?

Which of Maslow’s basic human needs takes priority on admission and why?

How can the nursing staff include meeting Maslow’s human needs when providing ongoing care to this patient

Answer 1

MASLOW'SM HIERARCHY OF NEEDS - DEVELOPED BY MR.ABRAHAM MASLOW

The 5 basic human needs from bottom to top of a pyramid are

1.PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS:Food,water,shelter,sleep,excretion etc

2.SAFETY NEEDS:sense of security,job security,health security,safe environment.

3.BELONGINGNESS AND LOVE NEEDS:strong bongs ,love relationships.

4.ESTEEM NEEDS:Self confidence,respect,good reputation etc

5.SELF ACTUALISATION:morality,spontaniety and acceptance.

HOW HUMAN NEEDS ARE MET IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITY.

1.PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS: Staff at the facility care should assist  the client to eat ,drink, toileting etc.Keep him warm or cool,monitor bowel and bladder activity,make sure he gets adequate rest and sleep.

2.SAFETY NEEDS:A sense of security should be there for the patient.Staff need to protect the safety and privacy of the client.Staff should acknowledge the needs of the patient. Protection from accidents,convey a sense of his health is being watched and he is not in danger.

3.BELONGINGNESS AND LOVE:The staff should arrange time for the visit of family and friends.And allow them to spend some quality time. staff should also demonstate acceptance and affection.Talk to him,show interest when he is talking,actively listen.

4.ESTEEM NEEDS:Client should be treated with respect, empathy etc. Encourage the patient to do small daily tasks and fulfilling those tasks help to increase the self confidence.Patient may need assistance,but allow them to take care of themselves to feel independent.

5.SELF ACTUALISATION:When you pay attention to your patient's interests and find way to help them continue those interests ,you are helping them to stay involved and find meaning in their life.

2.ON ADMISSION PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS AND SAFETY NEEDS OF THE PATIENT.

Because the patient has left sided weakness patient needs to be assisted in eating ,drinking,toileting etc.

The patient also has dementia and occasional confusion,so the physical safety of the patient is also important. Protect the patient from accidental falls ,self induced injuries etc.

3.ROLE OF NURSE

a)Assist the patient in eating,drinking,toileting etc.

b)Monitor bowel and bladder activities

c)Ensure adequate rest and sleep.

d)Keep the environment safe ,prevent accidental falls,injuries etc

e)Talk to the patients,ask questions ,actively listen.

f)Demonstrate acceptance and affection

g)Allow them to feel independent

h)Maintain their sense of dignity and help them to be confident.

i)Pay attention to your patient's interests,encourage them to pursue their interests,and encourage to stay involved in activities.

(The above points comes under which hierarchial needs has been discussed in first answer.)