NCOA Written Reflection

Throughout this semester, my professional values, attitudes, and expectations regarding older adults have evolved significantly. Initially, I viewed aging primarily as a process of physical decline, focusing on disease management. However, I have gained a broader perspective, emphasizing holistic, person-centered care. One of the most important conceptual shifts is the focus on the effect of disease burden on the elderly in terms of not just physical but also psychosocial aspects: NCOA Written Reflection.

In examining my care plan for a 77-year-old patient diagnosed with urinary incontinence, I first considered medicalized solutions such as bladder training and pelvic exercises. Nevertheless, incontinence also represents a prolific factor marked by social isolation, self-avoidance, and a decrement in the overall well-being of patients, thus making dignity-preserving approaches crucial (Jeyasingam et al., 2023). Moreover, I have realized the importance of educating the patients and caring for the caretakers to enhance their level of adherence and quality of life.

Another significant shift in my approach is my understanding of acute confusion and delirium management in older adults. Initially, I assumed cognitive decline was inevitable with aging. However, through my care plan for a 72-year-old patient with acute confusion, I discovered that delirium is often preventable and reversible when addressed early.

I learned to incorporate hydration, medication reviews, environmental modifications, and family involvement as key interventions (Gogia & Fang, 2023). This experience reinforced the importance of early detection, continuous assessments, and multidisciplinary collaboration in improving outcomes.

Moving forward, I will apply these lessons to ensure that older adults receive comprehensive, dignified, and proactive care. I will address patients’ early diagnosis of cognitive issues, educate caregivers, and ensure that safety and independence strategies are encouraged. Furthermore, I will engage families, as their role is significant in the process of recovery and the improvement of the patient’s well-being (Røsvik & Rokstad, 2020). By applying these strategies, I aim to enhance the well-being of older adults.

References

Gogia, B., & Fang, X. (2023). Differentiating delirium versus dementia in the elderly. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570594/

Jeyasingam, N., McLean, L., Mitchell, L. M., & Wand, A. (2023). Attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals: a qualitative systematic review. European Geriatric Medicine, 67(79). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00841-7

Røsvik, J., & Rokstad, A. M. M. (2020). What Are the Needs of People with Dementia in Acute Hospital settings, and What Interventions Are Made to Meet These needs? a Systematic Integrative Review of the Literature. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05618-3

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Written Reflection:

• Describe 2 ways your professional values, attitudes, and expectations regarding the older adult have changed over the semester and how you will care for older adults in the future; 2 paragraphs at minimum required
  

  NCOA Written Reflection

Resource:

• Lippincott’s Visual Nursing: A Guide to Diseases, Skills, and Treatments