Provision of Holistic Nursing Care for Older Adults with Respiratory Problem - Essay Example

Running Head: HOLLISTIC NURSING CARE FOR ADULTS Provision of Holistic Nursing Care for Older Adults With Respiratory Problem To be ableto develop a care plan which will meet the holistic needs of an adult admitted due to respiratory problems a carer should understand the needs of a patient with respiratory problems. A patient with Upper respiratory infection is observed to have sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion as well as cough, watery eyes, ear congestion and slight fever. Respiratory illness is a common chronic health problem and places a significant financial burden on the health care system. This study provides recommended care plans in order to give holistic care for older adults such as acupuncture, self-management and prevention. This paper also discussed how and why several organizations developed and focus their attention in caring for older adults. For over a half million older adult aged 65 or over who are living in care homes (nursing and personal care) and a large number end their lives in these care settings, care homes can only provide appropriate terminal care if barriers to the provision of care are addressed. Through the provision of these care plans these older adults will develop a sense of ownership which is important to reduce absenteeism and hospital admission as well as prevent further harm to their health. Introduction Upper Respiratory Infection or URI is a viral infection which infects the chest and the head which directly affects the nose, throat, sinuses and ears. Aside from that, it can also affect a person's tube that connects your middle ear and throat, and your windpipe, voice box and airways. Respiratory illness is one of the most common chronic health problems. There has been a significant world-wide increase in morbidity and mortality rates from asthma (Gottlieb et al. 1995). Respiratory illness causes a substantial financial burden on the health care system. In addition to medical costs, the personal suffering and productivity lost due to illness have societal costs as well. (Thompson) A patient with Upper respiratory infection is observed to have sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion as well as cough, watery eyes, ear congestion and slight fever. Other symptoms include fatigue, headache and loss of appetite. URI commonly affects or infects those who are emotionally or physically stressed or tired, not eating enough healthy food, smokers and those who are living or working in crowded conditions. These activities loses a humans resistance to viruses and illnesses that is why the URI infection easily penetrates and infects persons who are constantly doing or living I conditions stated above. In order to understand how to give holistic care for those older adults experiencing respiratory problems, an Asian laborer who is admitted due to respiratory problems is being observed. Victorio Nalzaro is a 52 year old laborer who was admitted last January 9, 2006 for 15 days. The attending physician's diagnosis was pleural effusion Left Prob. Sec. to Pulmonary Tuberculosis community acquired pneumonia 111 and Hypertension. Four years ago, Mr. Nalzaro was diagnosed with URI, Hypertension and High Blood pressure, having a BP of 160/100. Two years later, he has not experienced symptoms of URI and hypertension but his medication for his high blood pressure continues. He also experienced arthritis during the months of December. Five years later, since his last admission due to Upper respiratory infection, he was again admitted for three days due to URI accompanied with Rheumatoid Arthritis and in the month of September 2005, he was treated for Gastritis. Aims and Objectives To be able to develop a care plan which will meet the holistic needs of an adult admitted due to respiratory problems. To be able to examine and evaluate the extent of which the care plan is used holistically. Review of Related Literature Anywhere around the world, there seemed to be an outbreak of Respiratory infections which includes viruses such as the influenza virus, SARS, and now the avian flu virus. Respiratory illness is a common chronic health problem and places a significant financial burden on the health care system. Respiratory symptoms are significantly higher among poorer children, those in the inner city, and among minority populations. Immigrants from outside North America and Europe constitute over twenty percent of Metro Toronto residents, yet relatively little is known about their experience of respiratory illness. (Thompson et. Al. 2004) There have been many organizations that focus on the needs of the ill older adults. NHS organisations in England recognises the importance of the NSF for Older People and the emerging practice and policies related to this, such as Intermediate Care, the single assessment process, the 1999 Health Act Flexibilities and has responded by re-focusing its activity to realign more closely with the local and national priorities. (2005) Published in 2001, this NSF focuses on people who are over 50 and still active but who need to be able to maximise and maintain their health as well as people with age related needs who may have more complex social and medical problems. (2005) The Department of Health, Services and Social Safety applies palliative care services which aims to achieve the best quality of life possible for patients and their family through active identification, holistic assessment and appropriate management of problems, when progressive advanced disease is not responsive to curative treatment.(29) There are over a half million older adult aged 65 or over who are living in care homes (nursing and personal care) and a large number end their lives in these care settings. Unfortunately, care homes can only provide appropriate terminal care if barriers to the provision of care are addressed. The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services (NCH&SPCS) holds documents containing practice recommendations and therefore, the provision of appropriate terminal care makes the process of dying more comfortable and meaningful for a person and their family. Recommended Care Plans URI Patients or any other patients for that matter, usually experience depression and lack of resistance. More often than not, an ill person doesn't enjoy life during admission. Lying in a bed with in the four corners of the hospital room may sometimes lead the patient to self pity and unenthusiastic. They sometimes feel anxious and bored. Providing effective care plans for these patients will help them recover their health and self esteem. In order to formulate a holistic care plan for respiratory problems, it is necessary that health care workers give more time for patients and have patience. Acupuncture Based in the Holistic Care Approach, The World Health Organization has stated that acupuncture is suitable to treat () respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders for children and adult. Depending on the degree of complaint, acupuncture will need series of treatments. The first step to do is have good personal hygiene to reduce infection, wear loose 2 piece clothing and avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex. Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better. Self Management Educating old people with respiratory problems with self management is quite beneficial for them. With this, hospital admission will be reduced. It also reduces constant day off or sick leaves from work as well as unscheduled visits to the doctor. It is recommended that accurate conditions for respiratory problems should be universally available. Written care plans in order to facilitate self management should therefore be recommended. Many organizations have already prepared written care plans and self management materials for patients with respiratory problems. Important data should be included in the written care plan such as clear explanation of the specific diagnosis, a history of medicine allergens and its effect when taken, an up-to-date record of medications, dosage and treatment schedules and potential side effects. Written step by step instructions of how inhaled and oral treatments should be properly taken or how to properly handle respiratory and other equipments should be available. Care plans should identify symptoms when the disease is getting worse and instructions of what to do if the disease is getting worse. Access local advice and support are always available so important contact details and email should be readily available especially out of hours. There will be a written advice for carers, on management of the disease and what to look out for (this could include advice for teachers of children with asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions). Other than curing, a preventive action which includes vaccination and smoking cessation should be regularly practiced. In order to support a partnership approach between patients, carers and primary health and social care professionals, the DHSSPS will work in collaboration with GPs and other professionals to develop a Directed Enhanced Service under the General Medical Services Contract for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This will support the regular review of patients and evidence based practice within primary care settings and promotes information sharing, education and implementation of individualised self-management plans. (2006) Prevention There is a saying that says, prevention is better than cure. To prevent URI transmission, a person should turn away from others and use tissues when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands (or use portable cleansers) after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose and before touching food, dishes, glasses, silverware or napkins or computer keyboards. Paper cups and paper towels should be used in bathrooms. Don't let your nose or mouth touch public telephones or drinking fountains nor share food or eating utensils with others. Avoid close contact with others for the first two to four days and Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth. A person should eat healthy foods, especially fruits with vitamin C, such as oranges, get plenty of rest. Do not smoke and Wear a face mask if you have a cough. ( Turco, 2005) Holistic care provides a comprehensive check up and caring for a person with illness. While it has been a practice to treat an illness separately, holistic approach can very well trace prevent or cure other related problems which also affects the health problem. Through holistic care plans, it gives the patient a sense of ownership of which, when educated, the patient will be well aware of the symptoms, cause and effect of a certain problem. The sense of ownership will encourage a patient to cure himself and prevent further damage to ones health. References Esme Fuller-Thomson, Ph.D. (P.I.), Ann Robertson, Dr. P.H., Nita Chaudhuri, M.Sc., Lorraine Purdon, Maureen Thompson, M.Sc. ( February 2004). Towards Respiratory Health Among Immigrants in South East Toronto: Life Histories of Chinese and Caribbean Immigrants. CERIS [online]. Available from: http://ceris.metropolis.net/virtual%20library/health/fuller-thomsone1.html E. Fuller-Thomson, J. Lee, E. Lawson, N. ChaudHuri and M. Thompson. Self-Care Strategies for Managing Respiratory Illness in South-East Toronto: Life Histories of Chinese and Caribbean Immigrants. CERIS [online]. Available from: http://www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/CJRS/Spring97/20.1_2/fuller.pdf Turco, John (October 2005). Care for Upper Respiratory Infections. Dartmouth College Health Service [online] Available from: http://www.dartmouth.edu/health/resources/uri.html Acupuncture Traditional Japanese Style. Holistic Care Approach, healing begins within [online]. Available from: http://www.holisticcareapproach.com/pages/AcupunctureJap North & East Cornwall PCT Annual Report 2005 (2005). North and east Cornwall Primary Care Trust [online]. Available from: http://www.cornwall.nhs.uk/NEAnnualReport05/ImprovingYourHealth.aspx R&D annual reports by NHS organisations in England for 2005. Department of Health [online] Available from: http://www.nrr.nhs.uk/2005AnnualReports/ProgrammeSameIDRecords.aspCode=5EY&Title=Older+Persons ( March 2006) A Healthier Future; A Strategic Framework for Respiratory Conditions. The Department of Health, Services and Social Safety [online] Available from: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/pcd_-_respiratory_framework.pdf Read More