Posted: March 12th, 2023

NUR104: Contexts of Practice-The Older Person and Family

NUR104: Contexts of Practice-The Older Person and Family Assessment Task – Case Study
3–4 minutes
Assignment Task

Goal: The aim of this task is for you to apply your learning to the assessment and person-centred care planning for older people in diverse health settings.

Roy Campesie is 78 years of age. He has recently been admitted to the aged care facility where you have your clinical placement. Jim is his partner of 45 years, and he is 84 years of age. Jim has been caring for Roy who has been suffering with dementia, but he has had to concede that he can no longer care for Roy. Jim is feeling guilty and sad that Roy has had to move to the aged care facility and that he can no longer look after him. Roy is angry and showing signs of aggression with Jim and the staff.

Rubric Criteria: Understanding of biophysical and psycho-social processes associated with ageing.

Question1:

Briefly describe the biophysical changes associated with dementia
Explain two possible psychosocial responses that Roy may be experiencing due to his admission to the aged care facility.

Response:

Biophysical (approx. 100 words)
Psychosocial (approx. 150 words)

Rubric Criteria: Interpretation and use of evidence to plan person-centred care.

Question2:

Describe two assessments you would undertake for Roy and provide the rationale
What two actions could you take to support Roy?
Describe two actions you could take to support Jim

Response:

(approx. 200 words)
(approx. 200 words)
(approx. 100 words)

Rubric Criteria: Appraisal of the principles of social justice

Question3:

One of the principles of social justice is participation.

Choose one of the Aged Care Quality Standards that applies to the principle of participation. Explain what the Standard means and how it links to the principle of participation. Give an example of how this links to the situation in the case study.

Response: (approx. 200 words)

This NUR104-Medical Science Assignment

Question 1:

Biophysical changes associated with dementia:

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely. It is caused by damage to the brain cells, and the damage affects the communication between the brain cells. The biophysical changes associated with dementia include the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, which causes the death of brain cells. This leads to a reduction in the size of the brain, particularly in the areas responsible for memory and learning.

Psychosocial responses Roy may be experiencing due to his admission to the aged care facility:

Roy may be experiencing several psychosocial responses due to his admission to the aged care facility. Firstly, he may be feeling a loss of control over his life, which can lead to frustration and anger. Secondly, he may be feeling a sense of social isolation and abandonment due to the separation from his partner, Jim. This can cause feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, he may be feeling a sense of hopelessness, as he may not see a future beyond his current situation, which can lead to further emotional distress.

Question 2:

Assessments for Roy and Rationale:

Two assessments that can be undertaken for Roy are cognitive and functional assessments. Cognitive assessments, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), assess cognitive function, including memory, language, and orientation. Functional assessments, such as the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessment, evaluate the ability of a person to perform essential daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. These assessments are essential for identifying the level of care that Roy requires and for developing a person-centred care plan.

Actions to support Roy:

Two actions that can be taken to support Roy include providing him with activities that he enjoys and reducing environmental stressors. Providing activities that Roy enjoys, such as music therapy or art therapy, can improve his quality of life and reduce feelings of social isolation. Reducing environmental stressors, such as noise and bright lights, can help to reduce his anxiety and improve his overall well-being.

Actions to support Jim:

Two actions that can be taken to support Jim include providing him with counselling services and facilitating regular visits with Roy. Counselling services can help Jim to cope with his feelings of guilt and sadness and can assist him in developing coping strategies. Facilitating regular visits with Roy can help to reduce Jim’s sense of isolation and support his overall well-being.

Question 3:

Principles of social justice:

The principle of participation is an essential principle of social justice. Participation means that individuals have the right to be involved in decisions that affect their lives. One of the Aged Care Quality Standards that applies to the principle of participation is Standard 2: Ongoing Assessment and Planning with Consumers. This standard requires that aged care providers engage with consumers in the assessment and planning process and respect their goals, preferences, and needs. This standard links to the principle of participation because it recognizes the importance of involving consumers in decisions that affect their lives.

In the case study, the principle of participation can be applied by involving Roy and Jim in the assessment and care planning process. This involves consulting with them, respecting their goals and preferences, and ensuring that their voices are heard. For example, involving Roy in decisions about his care can help to reduce feelings of loss of control and can support his emotional well-being. Additionally, involving Jim in the care planning process can help him to feel included and supported, reducing feelings of isolation and abandonment.