Question

Reflect on opportunities for client advocacy in nursing. Identify one way in which you can advocate for a deficit issue affecting client communication.

Describe what you might say at your first meeting with a confused client as you begin your shift.

What are some examples of ageism affecting older adults?

From an advocacy perspective, how could you as a nurse help create a more positive image of older adults?

Answer 1

Nurses has the responsibility to take act as client advocates.They have different roles such as communicator,counsellor, educator,interpreter,liasons and care givers.The comprehensive use of all these roles are essential for providing quality health care services. The nurses can promote client advocacy by helping them to make informed cholices regarding their treatmenAs client advocate the nurses has to explain the condition of the patient,it's treatment options, expected outcome.So that the client can choose whether to accept the treatment or not.Another situation in which the client advocacy can be used is making priritization.Some times in case of terminally ill patients they want palliative treatment only to reduce the pain and suffering.But the family members may insist to do all the activities to prolong the life of patients.Here the nurses has to support and protect patient opinions regardless of caregivers preference or personal feeling.The nurses has to act as resource persons for client band familly.They have to identify problems such as lack of financial support to continue treatment.The nurses has to inform the cost of medicine and available opportunities to purchase the medicines in low cost, insurance services,the nurses has to inform physician regarding such issues to plan cost effeffective strategies.

If the patient has a defecit in communication they will be confused how to express their feelings.In such situations the nurses has to be active listeners.For example if the patient have hearing impairement make sure that you should maintain eye contact with the patient.The nurses have to communicate indtrinstruc by the physician in an understandable manner,legibly written prescription and instructions can be provided to them.Dont try to avoid them while speaking with family members.Talk in a natural pace and volume.

While meeting a confused patient ,first we have to maintain an effective interpersonal relationship,For that we have to introduce ourselves to them,oue role in the care,how we can help them.Always try to make this conversation in a familiar involvement.Try to involve them actively in conversation.Take time to listen the patient feelings and develop trust.Provide positive feedback for client participation in planning care.Reorient the client to the environment is essential.It can reduce confusion.

Examples of ageism affecting older adults

- The prejudice of physician may lead to under treatment of older adults.They believe that the health status of client is too weak and hence don't tolerate activite interventions or high dose medications.So they may focus on less effective therapeutic interventions.

-Over treatment may also observed in certain scenario.The physician may prejudice that the client may have multiple problems according to his age like insomnia, anxiety etc.so they add benzodiazepams or other sedatives regardless of functional abilities of patient.

- Neglect is the most important problem faced by older adults. Their views and opinions are not considered with the preoccupation that their problems are normal changes in aging.

- Faulty diagnosis may be done like dementia for depression as considering it as a normal aging process.

Nurses role to create positive image for older adults.

* Nurses has to promote autonomy and human dignity.

* Take time to listen the views of older adults regarding their treatment options.

* Communicate the functional status of older adults to the health care team and change treatment accordingly.

* Focus on existing abilities and promote maximum use of them.

* Encourage participation in self care activities to make them self confident.

* Encourage healthy eating habits and lifestyle.

* Include the patient opinion while planning interventions and acknowledge their worth.

*Encourage active participation in social networks.It helps to share their life experiences,ideas which can motivate others.

* Help them to manage stress through cognitive behavioral therapies.

* Encourage spend time with family members which makes them active and promote positivity.

*Encourage them to follow their passion,alway a have purpose in mind and utilize time effectively to get self satisfaction.

* Teach them to follow their mind not body.