Criterion 1: Tanner’s Model
Noticing- The patient is an 89 old widowed woman and has no family. Two years ago, she was sent to a nursing home, where she is residing up to now. She has Medicaid as well as Medicare that covers for her health expenses (Whalley & Breitner, 2009, p. 13). Ideally, the woman enjoys medical benefits through Medicare since her deceased husband had covered his family members. The signs portrayed by the woman are BP 126/76, Respiration 18, Temperature 98.2, Pulse 76 and Pain level 0.
Interpreting- The client has several medical problems such as memory loss, faulty reasoning, impaired judgment, hallucination, agitation, paranoia among others. Notably, the client requires psychotherapy sessions, activity center, and psych medications. Psychological counseling and physical exercises are vital to the customer to avoid memory loss. The client did not communicate effectively about her medical history. Home facilities may require close monitoring yet resources are scarce. Further, patients may show reluctance as they feel they are at home.
Responding-The symptoms presented by the client indicate that she might experience a gastrointestinal infection or respiratory issues. The client is at risk of contracting hypertension, cancer and DM II and I. The client needs to be immunized against tuberculosis. TB (PPD) negative immunization can prevent the customer from other opportunistic diseases.
Reflecting-According to my assessment and evaluation the client needs medical attention. Her age has also contributed to her ineffective health. Ideally, the customer needs somebody to provide emotional support (Whalley & Breitner, 2009, p. 10). Basing on the screening, noticeable changes in the client like depression, medication interactions, and sleep disturbances can worsen the woman’s condition. Therefore, it is vital to address the treatable changes immediately. To manage the client's health status required her to reside in the nursing home where she can obtain efficient nursing care.
Criterion 2: Key Community Health Concepts.
The outbreak of infectious diseases such as pneumonia, flu, urinary and skin infections are often unrecognized in nursing homes. The facilities utilized in several nursing homes provide a favorable environment for the spread of infectious diseases. The acquisition of infectious diseases can be attributed to sharing the same sources of air, water, health care and food in a crowded institution. The respiratory infections in nursing homes are derived from tuberculosis patients, staff, nonresidents or visitors suffering from acute respiratory diseases (Yoshikawa & Norman, 2009, p. 10) There is a need to control and manage infectious diseases in crowded institutions such as nursing homes. Gastrointestinal infections are treated through the combination of drug therapies. Annual flu vaccinations act as secondary prevention of flu and related diseases among the seniors in nursing homes. Cough, chills and fever are common symptoms of influenza and pneumonia. According to the family physicians academy in the United States, the environment around most nursing homes accelerates the spread of common diseases among the seniors.
Furthermore, an antimicrobial-resistant bacterium that occurs regularly in nursing homes is the host of most soft-tissue and skin infections (Yoshikawa & Norman, 2009, p. 12). Dramatic reports indicate that crowded environment predispose the seniors to respiratory illnesses at nursing facilities. Ideally, pathogens from infected persons are the leading agent for communicable diseases. The incubation period of infectious diseases depends on the immunity of the victim. However, the symptoms present themselves within one two months after infection.
Diseases such flu and respiratory problems are transmitted through air. The infected can spread the disease through coughing since they release the bacteria to the surrounding. Generally, loss of appetite, body weakness, sweating, and change in mental status, incontinence and difficulty with breathing are some of the symptoms presented by seniors with common illnesses in nursing homes (Yoshikawa & Norman, 2009, p. 16). Additionally, the primary prevention of flu and respiratory challenges among the seniors are by ensuring that there are proper ventilations at nursing homes. The secondary preventive measures for common diseases such urinary tract infections and skin infections are by ensuring that the elderly persons drink plenty of water. Further, the tertiary prevention is by prescribing the required antibiotics. Approximately 70 percent of the elderly population has acquired immunization against communicable diseases such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, pneumonia, influenza and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Mortality and Morbidity data in nursing homes indicate that approximately 60 percent of persons above 90 years die of communicable diseases annually at local nursing homes. The number of people dying due to communicable diseases increases at state, county, and federal reserves (Yoshikawa & Norman, 2009, p. 20). Educating the elderly on measures that prevent the occurrence of communicable diseases in nursing homes is the strategy in place that can help them to manage the illnesses and access to vaccines.
Criterion 3- Health literacy and cultural competency
The health literacy emphasized this is the issue of health insurance covers. It is important for all persons to take health covers that can gather for health expenses in case of diseases (Whalley & Breitner, 2009, p. 20). Health insurance covers have positive implications for nursing practice and health in general since it allows all persons to access medical attention.
Criterion 4- Health Policy
The health policy discussed was about sex education. Educating children in middle schools about sex is vital since it prepares them to be responsible and dependable people in future (Whalley & Breitner, 2009, p. 24). Sex education can also sensitize them to the dangers associated with unprotected sex.
References
Quinn, J. (2013). Primary Prevention of Dementia. Quinn/Dementia, 163-169. doi:10.1002/9781118656082.ch12
Whalley, L. J., & Breitner, J. C. (2009). Dementia. Abingdon: HEALTH Press.
Yoshikawa, T. T., & Norman, D. C. (2009). Infectious disease in the aging: Clinical handbook. Dordrecht: Humana Press.
