Question

Assessing Older Adults

1. A nurse is about to create a teaching plan for an older adult patient that focuses on health promotion and risk reduction.

a. Which areas of health promotion and counseling are specific to the older adult?

b. Which screening tools are appropriate in the assessment of older adults?

Answer 1

Aging is a normal process of time related changes, begin with birth & continues throughout life. Older people can maintain good health and functional dependence if appropriate support services are available.

Areas need Health promotion among elderly ;

• Medical conditions

Physician recommendations to be done

Skilled nursing care to be provided

Other health care services should be available

• Nutritional status

Cholesterol levels should be checked

Mood level should be monitored

Loss / gain of weight should be checked

Eating problem to be monitored

Shopping & foods preparation problem

• Living standards

Income level to be assessed

Living alone ,/ with family

• Mental health

Encourage for Social activities

Restorative program

Therapeutic Activities

• Daily activities

Heat monitoring

ADL assistance

One to one ADL training

Safety supervision

Individualized care planning

Screening tool for assessment of elderly

Assessment of the older provide database for the rest of the nursing process.

Before beginning the assessment process the nurse should attend to primary needs first

Comprehensive geriatric assessment

It is to determine appropriate interventions to maintain & enhance the functional ability of the patient

It is often c​​​​​​conducted in a geriatric evaluation units by the interdisciplinary geriatric assessment team.

Elements ;

• History ( functional health pattern format)
• Physical assessment
• Mood Assessment (
• Assessment of ADL ( Katz ADL scale )
• Mental status evaluation ( MSR )
• Social environment assessment

It helps to determine the services & placement needs of elderly.

Goal ;

A good match between the need & services

Team includes ;

• Nurse
• Physician
• Social worker

After the assessment the team meet with the patient & family with findings & recommendations. These assessments center's are often affiliated with large medical complex.