Chamberlain College of Nursing Week 3 Caring for Vulnerable Populations
I chose the 2nd case study: Senior with dementia.
Vulnerable groups include the economically disadvantaged, ethnic and racial minorities, immigrants, those with disabilities, children, and the elderly. The vulnerability can come in different forms; Physical, psychological and social. In my answer the vulnerable group is elderly, in this case, it is Mr. Johnson, a 72-year-old gentleman with a recent diagnosis of dementia.
Doenges, et al., 2014 describes dementia as a “chronic and gradually progressive disorder that affects the cognitive function that includes thinking, learning abilities, damage to memory and their judgment. Some underlying risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol all increase the risk of dementia, as all these factors damage the heart and blood vessels.”
During the visit of Diana the LPN, Mr. Johnsons’ wife shares she is not able to take of her husband no more and does not know what to do and is considering a nursing facility for him. Of course, her desire is to keep Mr. Johnson at home and keep the family together, but caring for a person with dementia takes a huge toll on the caregiver’s physical and mental health. Because dementia is such a debilitating disease that progresses, Mr. Johnson will need more supervision and individualized care. Mr. Johnson is at risk for falls, poor nutrition, loss of reasoning, loss of activity and increased disability to complete ADL’s (Lee & Kim, 2018).
Since Mr. Johsnon is in the mild stage of dementia, he and his family can benefit from several community sources in order to help with diet, medication, cognitive therapy, and physical therapy. Area Agency on Aging stood out to me because they have a wide variety of help they offer. They offer anything from nutrition, activities, dental care, in-home help, respite care, transportation, legal services, advice on facility placement, and home health-based primary care. This agency is responsible for planning, coordinating, funding and advocating for programs and services which meet the needs of Wyandotte and Leavenworth County residents.
Area Agency of Aging
Accessibility: The headquarters is in a neighboring county with an agency within the city that uses local services in order to provide the correct care and needs. Agency can be called in order to provide transportation. The first appointment can be made in order to receive an assessment and counseling to see what services are needed for the client. This part includes the Kansas Department of Health and Environment form that need to fill out to evaluate a person’s health and functional abilities.
Acceptability: The recipients of the variety of services for elderly and dementia care have to prove the age of 60 and older or functional and cognitive needs, this is done through the assessment form of the Kansas Department of Health. All are accepted if a need for assistance is established.
Affordability: Legal services, initial assessment, counseling, and transportation are free of charge. All other care services are based on income and work with insurance companies. Most are at a reduced rate as many healthcare services are community supported. Also, this agency has State funding.
Availability: This agency has service and programs in the community they serve and available to any that meet the requirement which is 60 years or older or in need of functional or mental help. The agency is very diverse in services and supported by the community.
Chamberlain College of Nursing (2019). Week 3: Caring for Vulnerable Populations.
https://lms.courselearn.net/lms/content/1530/52631/NR443/NR443_435_436_W3_Case_Study_Dementia.docx
Doenges, M., Moorhouse, M., & Murr, A. (2014). In Nursing care plans: guidelines for individualizing client care across the life span, 9th ed (p. 743). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: F.A. Davis Company. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nup&AN=2013015534&site=eds-live&scope=site
Engelke, Z. R. M., & Schub, T. B. (2018). Patient and Family Education: Teaching the Patient with Delirium or Dementia. CINAHL Nursing Guide. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nup&AN=T705956&site=eds-live&scope=site
Hyun Lee, & Kyoung Kim. (2018). Effect of physical activity on cognition and daily living activities of the elderly with mild dementia. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 30(3), 428433. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=128488345&site=eds-live&scope=site
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