Question

1. Veterans and children may also need long-term care. How do their needs compare to those of the elderly? How are long term services paid for among these special groups?

2. What role does rehabilitation play in the long term care system?

Answer 1

Veterans are those people who served in a armed forces for a long time who have gone through physically or psychologically demanding situations , so a long term care is needed . They may have:

- Musculoskeletal injuries and pain ; because most of the people experienced leg pain , knee, shoulder injuries or other pain in bones which are common. so for those people, educating them about various exercises routine , and prescribing medication for pain management is the best way.

- Infectious diseases; Some people may get some sort of infectious diseases due to serving in overseas .

- An example is leshmaniasis , caused by sand fly which is lifethreatningcan cause fevers, weightloss, weakness, anemia, and other infectious problems . So for those giving care and prescribing medicines and good nutrition improves quality of care.

-Chemical exposure;

- Due to wars in combat zones those people will be exposed to chemal agents can cause serious affect to lungs and cause some serious repiratory problems.

- Traumatic brain injuries and Mental health issues;

-People who suffer from these experiences memory loss, language problems, headaches etc,. Mental health issues include due to alcoholism, drug addiction they may have changes in behaviour like violent , depression .

So for those people nurse should assist them mentally and psychologically. Giving prescribed medicines can reduce their psychiatric health issues.

In case of children a long term care is more important. Monitoring child status assures that his/her carepaln is adapted to maximizing child's potential and enabling the least restrictive emvironment possible.

- Child will enjoy therapeutic activities that provide engagement activities while enhancing their quality of life.

- Pediatric extended care facilities provide support to children who are ,medically fragile or have complex medical needs.

Rehabilitaion plays a very important role in long term care which includes;

- Improving mobility.

- Improving nutritional status.

- Improving sensory perception.

- Improving tissue perfusion.

- Reducing friction and shear.

- Improves the patient's quallity of life.

- Assists clients to attain maximum level of wellness on continum after negative change in health, involves establishing lost function while expanding , maintaining, and supporting limited remaining function.

- Mainly focuses on interventions that improve quality of life rather than saving life.

- It involves client, family, health care team, community, and society, not an isolated process.

- Rehabilitation is socially significant because health problems cause disabilities thet are costly personally and financially. (both to individual and society )