A Baker’s Dozen Of The Most Common Issues When Caring For The Older Generation
Pegasus Home Health Care is recognized as an industry leader. Our reputation is the result of the constantly high-quality care we provide. Our policy of hiring licensed professionals with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds contributes to our success.
Pegasus in-home nurses in Glendora and elsewhere provide one-on-one assistance to patients of all ages. Their skills help them with the common issues when caring for the older generation. Career home health care nurses are able to manage a variety of medical conditions.
Aging In Place Is Preferred By Many
Many older adults prefer to age in place. Research shows they are happier and healthier living in familiar surroundings. Your role as their in-home nurse facilitates that.
Although every individual is unique, there are commonalities. Specific health-related issues can affect an individual’s ability to live at home. They need varying levels of assistance to stay independent and safe.
Complex Medical Care Is The Most Common Issue
Complex medical care is the most common issue with your senior patients. They are potentially subject to age-related medical conditions. Some may have begun when they were younger, such as diabetes. Most are chronic conditions, and some of your patients will have multiple chronic conditions.
And often, non-chronic conditions, such as colds, can affect older adults more severely than their younger counterparts. They typically need a longer time to recover. That’s due to the reduced ability to fight infection because of the aging of their immune system.
Although all the other issues are also health-related concerns, it’s useful to consider them separately. There is significant overlap in the issues, so the following list isn’t written in stone. They are all interrelated in how you, as their in-home nurse, strive to improve your patient’s quality of life.
Additional Common Issues
- Polypharmacy is consuming five or more kinds of medicines each day for one or more health conditions. Your patient may be obtaining prescriptions from several physicians and inadvertently taking too many drugs. Polypharmacy has significant health risks and can be life-threatening. As their nurse, ensure that any physician they consult has a complete list of all drugs. Also, encourage your patients to get everything filled at one pharmacy.
- Misuse of medication is frequently accidental in older adults. Your patients may not understand the instructions. If they remain unable to follow timing and dosage guidelines, you may need to manage their medications. You must also be aware of the potential for substance abuse or taking illegal drugs.
- Falls are a primary cause of injury in the older generation. Many are preventable. Work with your patient, family caregivers, and physical therapists on prevention.
- Loss of sensory perception is a common issue as individuals age. As their five senses diminish, their enjoyment of life decreases. They may become isolated and depressed.
- A variety of illnesses or accidents can impair adult mobility, increasing your patient’s risk of falls and ill health. The physical and occupational therapists on your Pegasus team can teach them how to move safely.
- Lack of adequate nutrition in older adults can result in malnutrition and other health issues. The dietitian on your team can help with meal planning and meeting dietary requirements.
- Cognitive ability doesn’t always decline with age. But it remains a common issue. You need to be aware when/if it affects your patient’s quality of life.
- Incontinence can be an embarrassing issue for many patients. Encourage them to consult a physician to determine the cause, as it often responds to treatment.
- One’s basic needs, such as personal hygiene, are called activities of daily living (ADLs). Medical conditions and increasing years often lead to the loss of ability to meet one or more ADL unaided.
- Finances are a common issue for the older generation. Emergencies can spell disaster for some. Money worries and stress adversely affect their well-being.
- Individuals typically consider things like installing grab bars when they consider home safety. But personal security is more than that. Teach your patients how to recognize telemarketing scams. Warn against taking strangers at face value and other ways they potentially put themselves at risk of harm.
- End-of-life planning may be a difficult issue for your patient to face, but encourage them to consider it. The medical social worker on your team can help them with resources if needed.
These issues can also affect younger individuals in equal or greater measures. Nor is the list all-inclusive. But it does describe the common issues you may experience in geriatric home health care.
Join Our Team And Advance Your Career
Pegasus in-home nurses in Glendora and our other locations receive the training and support they need to advance their Careers. Career home health care nurses love the flexibility and reward of working one-on-one with their patients.
Pegasus is a licensed Home Care Organization and a Joint Commission Accredited Home Health Care organization. We are an equal opportunity employer. We’re hiring licensed professionals who want to work for an organization that offers rewarding career options.
