Caring for Older People Essay -- Health Care, Diseases, Dementia

Caring for older people 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). This essay discusses the strategies of care delivered for an older person with dementia during my recent clinical placement. Discussions will focus 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. Ropers’ model is used as a frame work in which cae is delivered. Other related issues to be considered include the role of informal carers and the impact this had on him. Confidentiality is maintained in conjunction with NMC 2010 code of conduct. Thus a pseudonym (Scot) is adopted where the client’s name is mentioned. Scot is a 70 year old man with a long term history of psychosis. Recently he had been diagnosed with dementia. He had been well managed on quiatiapin until he had stopped taking the medication and his psychosis had worsened. And due to his decline in his mental state, he has also been refusing access to his carer (his wife) and was at risk of self neglect. Dementia is a disorder manifested by multiple cognitive defects, such as impaired memory, aphasia, apraxia and a disturbance in occupational or social functioning, Howcroft (2004). 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. Scot suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, which affects the brain cells and brain nerve transmitters, which carry instructions around the brain. The b... ...is condition and how she can reduce the feelings of anxiety, tension and loss of control that has resulted from the impact of Scots deterioration. By the end of my placement, evaluations showed that although there have not been significant changes in Scots mental and physical state, it is also imperative to note that he has been supported and maintained well to carry some of the daily activities of living. Whilst Scots care plan continued to be reviewed, there is also an ongoing support and educational programmes for his wife, which will enable her to effectively care for Scot. Having gained experience working with older people, I have understood that whenever you care for a person especially the older person, one must take a holistic view of the person’s physiological and psychological and social circumstance in order to provide effective and continuous care.