Assessing health care and needs of older person

Assessing health care and needs of older person Summary Caring for older people with dementia highlights many special and difficult issues for nurses and carers, such as separation, illness, loneliness, death and how to provide continued care (Morrissey et al, 1997, Livingston, 2010). Monitoring and questioning the way we care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is an important part of delivering the very highest standards of specialist dementia care. Aims and Objectives This study is about the assessment of health needs and the strategies of care delivered for an older person with dementia within the community observed during my recent placement. There will be discussions focusing on normal ageing process, taking into account the relevant biological, sociological and physiological perspectives and the impact this had on this individual’s life experience. Dementia Care Mapping and community profile will be introduced. The relevant epidemiology and aetiology factors will be examined and the social and kinship support networks will be identified, how they work together to provide individual holistic patient care, the impact it had on him in the community and finally the impact of current legislation on the overall care provided will be analysed.. The rationale for this is to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and practical links in caring for individuals with this condition in the community. Confidentiality is maintained in conjunction with NMC 2010. Thus a pseudonym (Scot) is adopted where the client’s name is mentioned. Context Scot is a 70 year old man with a long term history of psychosis. Recently he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, which affects the brain cells and brain nerve transmitters, which carry instructions around the brain. Scot is also a non-insulin dependent diabetic and has hypertension, both of which are controlled by oral medication. Aeotiology Dementia as a disorder, is manifested b y multiple cognitive defects, such as impaired memory, aphasia, apraxia and a disturbance in occupational or social functioning, Howcroft (2004).The brain shrinks as gasps develops in the temporal lobe and hippocampus. The ability to think, speak, remember and make decisions is interrupted (ADS, 2011). Disturbances in executive functioning are also seen in the loss of the ability to think abstractly, having difficulty performing tasks and the avoidance of situations, which involves processing information. Due to the decline of his mental state, he has been refusing access to his carer (his wife) and was at risk of self-neglect. Current medication He had been well managed on Quetiapine until he had stopped taking the medication and his psychosis had worsened. Quetiapine is an oral antipsychotic drug used for treating schizophrenia and similar disorders. Like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. Frequent adverse effects include headache, agitat ion, dizziness, drowsiness, weight gain and stomach upset (Ballard et al 2005). Medical history Seven (7) years ago, he had a mild stroke. He has fractured both of his wrists and has no sensation of the heat or cold on his hands but can move and use his fingers perfectly fine. Referral Scot was referred to the CMHT on the 03 May 2011 by his General Practitioner (GP). He was seen by the CPN for his mental illness and was decided that Scot would be visited every day because of his past medical history.