Safety for the Older Adult Peer Response

Safety for the Older Adult Peer Response

Hello,

Great work with your post. I concur with your findings on the assessment points for ascertaining the safety of older patients in their dwelling spaces. To begin with, the physical environment in which an older client lives has a predilection on their safety and overall health. As mentioned in the post, nurses play a role in ensuring the physical environment of their older clients does not put them at risk of fall injuries and potentially infectious agents. In this respect, they can collaborate with their clients to ensure they are knowledgeable on safety enhancement measures such as clean rooms, appropriate cleaning techniques, and other self-care skills that best guarantee them freedom from environmental harm.

Activities of daily living (ADL) is another assessment point for ascertaining the safety of older adults. Independence in ADLs is a marker for good geriatric health. A goal in geriatric nursing care is to ensure geriatric clients can independently execute their ADLs. I also agree with your assessment of conditions that warrant care transition or additional assistance for geriatric patients. A decline in ADLs indeed symbolizes health deterioration and may signify the need for patient admission. Care transition for geriatric patients is a complex process that necessitates a collaborative approach. This is because geriatric patients, in most instances, have disease comorbidities and subsequent high care demands. NPs, as nurse leaders, are involved in guiding clinical decision-making processes targeted at ensuring effective care transition. Their roles stretch beyond needs assessment to establishing working care plans for their clients (Li et al., 2022). Skilled nursing facilities are valuable in geriatric care. They are beneficial to older patients with terminal illnesses and those with deficits in their ADLs. As captured in your post, NPs play a role in coordinating referrals to these care facilities.

References

Li, Y., Cimiotti, J. P., Evans, K. A., & Clevenger, C. K. (2022). The characteristics and practice proficiency of nurse practitioners who care for older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 46, 213–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/

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According to Mohammad et al. (2020), one assessment that could be used to determine whether the patient is safe in their current living environment is a home safety assessment. This evaluates the safety of the physical environment within the patient’s home, such as tripping hazards, unsafe furniture, lack of handrails or grab bars, etc. A nurse practitioner can refer the patient for a home health safety evaluation to ensure the patient’s safety at home. Another assessment evaluates the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and mobility (Mohammad et al., 2020). A nurse practitioner can refer patients to work with a physical therapist and occupational therapist to enhance the patient’s independence and safety at home.

Safety for the Older Adult Peer Response

Results that could indicate the patient could require additional assistance or a transition in the care environment are evidence of a significant decline in the client’s ability to perform ADLs or poor management of multiple chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (Baldwin & Sanford, 2018). The patient might need to go to a skilled nursing facility to regain mobility and the ability to function independently. Additionally, the management of chronic illnesses comes with multiple medications, diet, and exercise. The patients need to receive proper education on how to effectively manage these chronic illnesses on their own.

The nurse practitioner’s role in care transition is accurately assessing the patient’s needs, functional status, and safety concerns. The nurse practitioner must also collaborate with the patient’s family members or caregivers to ensure a smooth transition and that all questions are answered. The nurse practitioner will also coordinate with other members of the healthcare team, such as consults and referrals to ensure the patient’s needs are met.

Appropriate referrals for a patient who requires a transition in the care environment include physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and skilled nursing facilities (Mohammad et al., 2020). The nurse practitioner can ensure coordination of care during transitions by continuously following up with the patient and family members. The nurse practitioner can also follow up with other healthcare team members, such as social workers or physical therapists, to check on the patient’s progress and reassess if additional needs are required.

Health Services Los Angeles County (2021) provides resource links for housing, food, childcare, and mental health. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (n.d.) provides information about free or low-cost health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. Healthcare services such as doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medications, and long-term care could be covered. A referral to a social worker is essential for patients who need additional resources because they can provide community resources and help the patient apply for the appropriate resources since most people could have language or educational barriers.