Age Appropriate Care Using Palliative Approach in Older Adult - Essay Example

Age Appropriate Care Using Palliative Approach in Older Adult Student’s Name: ID Number: Date: Age Appropriate Care Using Palliative Approach in Older Adult There is significant increase in population of older adults in Australia especially those in the age bracket of 65 years and above. Like any other developed economy throughout the world, Australia is experiencing improvement in life expectance as a result of combination of social and economic factors hence increase in old age population (Mitchell, 2011). In Australia, there is wide variety of people in terms of race, religion as well as ethnicity hence diverse population of older adults. It is important to note that increase in ageing population has potential impact on people’s quality of life which has in turn causes various illnesses and different social challenges (Phillips, Heneka, Hickman, Lam, & Shaw, 2012). In this regard, this essay provides essential discussion on necessity of age appropriate healthcare for old people in the age of sixty five and above. In addition, this essay uses palliative care perspective which touches on both patients and their families and importance of nursing care in the whole process. Basically, people in different age groups have different medical and social needs. In respect of this fact, it is important for health and social workers to adopt age appropriate care especially for older adults and immediate members of their families (Murray, Kendall, Boyd, & Sheikh, 2012). Most of them receive care from their age mates or their children who may also be old. Since people age differently, older adults may as well have different medical needs hence making the palliative care quite complex. Some depend on support from others in almost everything such as feeding, walking and clothing. Others may also have challenges such as difficulty in communication (Melville, Mitropoulos, Philpott, & Pilcher, 2013). In such case, the care giver provides both physical and social assistance to the patient. Older adults usually have chronic ailments which deteriorate as they advance in age. Some live a lonely life due to loss of a spouse while others have children who live far away from them. In such scenario, they lack family support which is necessary for their social wellbeing. Significant number of older adults struggle with other social issues such as adaptation after retirement as well as death of a spouse or close friends. Due to such unfortunate although common circumstance, they may develop negative attitude towards life (Henwood, Keogh, & Climstein, 2012). Others do not even accept themselves in this particular age. The main task of a care giver in such situation is to take them through learning on how to accept life as it is and several difficulties that come along with old age. Initially, community had the responsibility of providing end of life care necessary for older adults. However, hospitals and other relevant institutions have assumed this role since most of them prefer being in clinical setting rather than home environment. Atmosphere in nursing homes is usually different from that in other places (Mitchell, 2011). Consequently, the need of older adults in this setting is quite different since they become sicker while in hospital. To minimise the negative effects of clinical setting to the patient, provision of age appropriate care using the palliative approach is necessary (Keall, Clayton, & Butow, 2014). This involves health and social workers as well as family members of the individual patient. It touches on health, social and spiritual needs of the patient hence providing a holistic care. Besides nurses, palliative approach calls for attention of different professionals such as psychologists and counsellors among others. As a result, it does not only benefit the patient and family but also helps nurses to avoid stress. The nurse interacts with various specialists hence shares challenges with them through constant interaction. Palliative care is an important tool in providing comfort to both the patient and the family. The approach deals first with physical and psychological distress and pain while incorporating the traditional medication (Mitchell, 2011). The family feels fully supported hence reducing stress they go through while taking care of their older adult. Age appropriate care using palliative approach deals with specific challenges. It provides essential management of distress along with treatment in consideration of individual preference. Note that it is not possible to predict how long the older adult will live with health and social challenges. The main aim of palliative approach is to provide effective management of the situation hence helping the patient to live with the situation comfortably. When handling older adults, many people concentrate on physical care hence neglecting other needs. Age appropriate care address these anomalies by incorporating palliative approach which provides social and spiritual care as well (Mitchell, 2011). It revitalises the patient from within hence causing gradual and sustainable improvement of quality of life. It enhances physical and psychological comfort to both the patient and immediate family thus providing satisfaction. Palliative approach is therefore able to develop positive attitude within the patient and this increases chances of living longer. It also provides bereavement to families in case of death by preparing them psychologically. In palliative care, the nurse plays a critical and essential role in ensuring that the patient receives all benefits. The nurse is the primary link between the patient and other parties involved in providing age appropriate care using palliative approach (Mitchell, 2011). Basically, the nurse communicates with the patient and introduces him or her to other specialists such as psychologists depending on specific need. Nurses also recognise different needs and take a record in order to know the particular professional to involve (Phillips, Heneka, et al, 2012). When there is a need for nutritionist, it is the nurse who recognises and seeks the necessary support. They also ensure that expert recommendation is carried out professionally. They conduct physical observation of signs of improvement and report the same to relevant professionals. In other words, nursing professionals play a core role in executing age appropriate healthcare to older adults. When delivering age appropriate care using palliative approach, the major task is to relieve pain and other distressing aspects. It is different from traditional treatment especially when handling older adults. Note that most cases in this age bracket are chronic and patients only require comfort and satisfaction. In this case, health workers do not assure the patient complete healing. They only ensure proper end life care by managing painful conditions and other challenges. In addition, palliative care takes pro-active measures by addressing the main cause of problems. Sometimes the ailment may be extreme due to psychological and social issues (Ryan, Ingleton, Gardiner, Parker, Gott, & Noble, 2013). By taking the patient through counselling and providing other support, the pain is reduced and occurrences of the same symptoms are prevented. This does not ignore the importance of traditional treatment which is also vital in completing the care process. When older adult goes through distressful moment, immediate family members also develop stress. Such stress comes as a result of anxiety due to long illness. Some may also be worried of excessive physical pain in older adults. Palliative approach also addresses their need for comfort and satisfaction. Nurses may recommend counselling to them where they are prepared of any eventuality (Melville, Mitropoulos, et al, 2013). They become aware of everything that may be happening hence able to accept the reality. In case the patient dies, the family is already prepared thus they are able to cope with the challenge. Traditional treatment does not provide such support hence need for palliative approach. It is an all-round approach which brings everybody concerned on board throughout the process (Melville, Mitropoulos, et al, 2013). The approach enhances proper understanding of the situation the older adult is going through thus avoiding any fear especially to members of the family. Palliative approach recognises the value of other social disciplines in medical setting. There are challenges that doctors and nurses cannot address adequately (McPhee, & Papadakis, 2010). Age appropriate care classifies common challenges in every group and seeks to address each problem differently. It implies that when addressing psychological problem in older adult, psychologist is able to the right approach to use. It is all about comprehensive care which requires physical, social, cultural and spiritual attention. Medication alone cannot solve most health problems in old age. In respect of this, psychologists come in when the ailment is as a result of psychological challenge (Ryan, Ingleton, et al, 2013). Medication goes hand in hand with psychology counselling which helps the patient and the nurse to manage the ailment and prevent adverse event. In conclusion, there is a need to embrace palliative approach when offering age appropriate care especially to older adult. The utilisation of this approach in Australia has further increased life expectancy. Many old adults are able to survive with an ailment for long period due to proper management of the situation. It also extends to other age brackets such that every patient receives a holistic care which promotes physical, social, mental and spiritual health. These are core pillars behind ant healthy living since the approach addresses all human needs in reference to age. Although it has a cost implication especially to the family, it is a vital tool that addresses health in complete perspective. It offers sustainable solution and relief to the patient, family members and nurses at large. Reference Henwood, T., Keogh, J., & Climstein, M. (2012). Sarcopenia in older adults. Australian nursing journal, 19(9), 39-40. Keall, R., Clayton, J. M., & Butow, P. (2014). Australian Palliative Care Nurses’ Reflections on Existential/Spiritual Interventions. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 16(2), 105-112. McPhee, S. J., & Papadakis, M. A. (Eds.). (2010). Current medical diagnosis & treatment 2010. McGraw-Hill Medical. Melville, A., Mitropoulos, J., Philpott, S. J., & Pilcher, D. V. (2013). ADMISSION TO INTENSIVE CARE FOR PROVISION OF END OF LIFE CARE IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: DO THE PATIENTS ALL DIE?. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 3(2), 275-275. Mitchell, G. K. (2011). Palliative care in Australia. The Ochsner Journal, 11(4), 334-337. Murray, S. A., Kendall, M., Boyd, K., & Sheikh, A. (2012). Illness trajectories and palliative care. International Perspectives on Public Health and Palliative Care, 30. Phillips, J., Heneka, N., Hickman, L. D., Lam, L., & Shaw, T. (2012). Spaced education in the specialist palliative care setting: exploring it's potential to improve pain management. Ryan, T., Ingleton, C., Gardiner, C., Parker, C., Gott, M., & Noble, B. (2013). Symptom burden, palliative care need and predictors of physical and psychological discomfort in two UK hospitals. BMC palliative care, 12(1), 1-9. Read More