Health Care for the Elderly - Essay Example

"Health Care for the Elderly" is a wonderful example of a paper on care. Health care for the elderly is increasingly becoming an area of concern. More and more of the world population is moving into the geriatric age bracket (65 and above). The main concern, however, is that healthcare has not adapted to the sensitive needs of these people. The same old medical practices administered upon younger populations are imposed on them. There has been no practical appreciation of the specific risks they face. These most notably stem from sensory failure and their increased exposure to injury (Institute on Aging, 2012). As part of this paper, I conducted a risk assessment interview on a 67-year-old member of my family. An analysis of the risks they faced and the possible ways in which the risks can be eliminated, or at least mitigated; shall form the core of this paper.

One aspect of the musculoskeletal exam that is of considerable importance to this patient is previous injuries. It is known that up to a third of fall victims cannot recall falling (Institute on Aging, 2012). This is a crucial area to focus on, so as to provide extensive and extremely targeted care. The patient in mention slipped and fell on a wet floor.

The pain that should have been restricted around the back area has now degenerated to referred pain. Furthermore, the feet also hurt. If a proper assessment of the injury is done, then the specific problem could be identified. Instead, most of the treatment she is subjected to is entirely speculative. She has already been treated for arthritis and even osteoporosis.

The health assessment exam for the patient needs many modifications in my opinion. First of all, the elderly should be examined in their home environment (Institute on Aging, 2012). The doctors need to observe the patients as they go through their daily routines. This will ensure no salient aspects are neglected, as the removed environment of the hospital might tend to do. Secondly, health assessment for the elderly should be continuous. As we all know, small effects on the bodies of the aged results in severe consequences. These small elements need to be tracked before they give way to a health emergency.

Health promotion and safety for the aged is critical. As more and more people move into this age bracket, the nature of healthcare must change to suit them. Several recommendations are necessary for this to be achieved. However, for the purposes of this paper, I shall limit them to two. To begin with, the elderly need a special group of professionals to watch over them around the clock (Institute on Aging, 2012). Their health and body functions are as brittle as glass and must be treated with extreme caution. Finally, elderly care should start well before age is attained. The reason being, small elements that combine to cause health emergencies always begin at an early age.

In conclusion, health care for the elderly should be focused on prevention than cure. This is because their bodies are too weak to withstand any serious ‘knocks’. As a result, interventions should be formulated early enough to prevent those ‘knocks’ from occurring. Health care is a leading indicator of the general welfare of human beings. Therefore, maximum health care should be administered to the elderly, with attention paid to the part of the body it is needed most.

 

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