WGU study guide for care of the older adult c475 exam questions and answers

Baby Boomers - large group of people born between . Considered more affluent, better educated and healthier. Baby boomers have entered the older age group as of 2011 Baby Boomers unique characteristics that make them a challenge for healthcare professionals - expect and demand excellence in geriatric care. Health disparities exist among minority elder group. Top five racial groups in United States - European African Hispanic Asian Native Americans European Americans 5 health disparities - individualistic, stoic (don't want to be a burden to others), elders- lose their sense of self worth. Trust authority- will tend to follow health care advice) smoking by pregnant women drug induced deaths deaths from poisoning deaths from melanoma, and deaths from COPD before age 45. African Americans - 2nd larges minority populations. religion/spirituality plays important role in health and wellness. Equate good luck, good fortune, and good health with being right with God. Closer ties with extended families and rely on their close family ties for support. Distrustful of health care personnel African Americans - top five health disparities - gonorrhea, congenital syphilis, new cases of AIDS, deaths due to HIV infection. Hispanic Americans - high values on family, religion, and community. family interdependence over independence. family first before seeking outside health care. homeopathic remedies in conjunction with religious artifacts before engaging the health care professional. They disagree with silence and noncompliance. May not seek health care because they feel that their illness/disease is a punishment of sins. Many do not seek health care because they do not have access to it (lack of insurance, communication difficulties, or fear of ramifications due to being in country illegally. Diabetes and heart disease are two health problems that have increased within this cultural group Hispanic Americans - top 5 health disparities - congenital syphilis TB, AIDS, exposure to particulate matter, cirrhosis deaths Asian Americans - still practice holistic (naturalistic) medicine and may incorporate this as an adjunct to Western medicine. Majority of influence comes from Confucianism Follows a naturalistic perspective, defining health and illness as a balance between the individual and the world around the individual. Treatments may involve - acupuncture, moxibustion (burning of herbal leaves on or near the body), cupping (the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain parts of the body), massage, herbal remedies, movement and concentration exercises (tai chi) Some elders may forgo life sustaining treatment because of the principles of ren. Ren is the golden rule of Chines decision making "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself". Asian Americans - top 5 disparities - new cases of TB, congenital syphilis, no pap test among females 18, exposure to particulate matter, and carbon monoxide exposure Native Americans - Insulated from the rest of the country, either literally (by way of land reservation) or in other ways such as linguistically. Follow naturalistic approach, believing that health is a balance of the mind, body, and spirit, and illness occurs when there is an imbalance or disharmony with nature. Health beliefs are blended with religion, carrying a magic facet as well as holistic and naturalistic approaches Native Americans - top 5 health disparities - fetal alcohol syndrome, smoking by pregnant women, alcohol related motor vehicle deaths, cirrhosis deaths, and new cases of gonorrhea Age related changes which may affect therapeutic communication - Visual acuity Hearing loss Speech and language difficulties ways to communicate/ assist patient with disabilities such as hearing deficits, vision impairments, or aphasia and dysarthria. - Hearing deficits - 1. Do not shout. 2)TOUCH or by using a visual cue and wait for patient to visually orient to you before speaking, 3)STAND in front of person in a well lit room (helps the patient lip read), 4) SPEAK TO THE SIDE THAT HAS BETTER HEARING 5) make sure hearing aid is IN and turned ON 5) use gestures or objects for communication. LIMIT BACKGROUND NOISE Allow adequate time for response. Use short sentences and speak clearly May need to write or use a pictogram grid Vision impairments - Position yourself within their vision field. Give verbal indication of the actions you are about to do (avoid startling or scaring them). Label objects or simplify what is in their visual field. Aphasia/Dysarthria (speech impairments) - May be more anxious or self aware. Limit distractions Face patient and maintain eye contact May need to use multiple forms of communication (body language, written or pictorial information) Use short uncomplicated sentences with simple choices. Summarize message for accuracy. Take time and do not correct every error and respect the elder's limitations. Be patient!! Communication with a delirious elder - discussions simple and questions concise. Use large print calendars and clocks to assist with orientation. Pictures of family may assist in reorienting. Well lit room. Offer frequent reassurance.