Evaluation of an Elderly Client

Therefore it is imperative for the nurses to do an appropriate evaluation of the elderly so as to obtain critical information and therefore lay a strong foundation for the age-appropriate and specific nursing care. The process of giving nursing care varies from various health responses from the client as well as their human experiences. This highlights the importance of the nursing profession to understand and evaluate the physiologic changes that are specific to this population as well as identifying the differences that arise from aging-related changes and health adjustments originating from illnesses and social changes. This paper will comprehensively evaluate a patient using skills that are essential in evaluating an elderly person. Brief History of the Client Social History For the purposes of the client’s confidentiality, all the names used in this paper have been changed to ensure the protection of the client’s privacy (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2017).

She was recognized by the neighbors and largely by the community for her good deeds. Medical History The clinical notes from her local community health center indicate that she was diagnosed with dementia Alzheimer more than 20 years ago. Alzheimer refers to a brain disease that is characterized by problems with the patient’s memory, behavior as well as thinking. It normally starts mildly but later develops and advances to become worse with time. Its severity can affect the performance of the daily chores. , Brown, P. , & Kwan, V. , 2017), aging population are more likely to experience mental issues than the young population. Mrs. White can no longer attend to her physical needs such as personal care neither can she attend her other activities.

They are used as an adjunctive prescription for a mild or moderate Alzheimer illness. Not different from other various medications out there, donepezil possesses side effects to the patient such as vomiting and nausea, dizziness, insomnia as well as agitation to mention just a few (Devanand et al, 2018). Presently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer disease, however, they are medications available that can improve the symptoms and slow down the disease effects on the patient. Exelon, Donepezil, and Galantamine are such known drugs (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2015). It is normal to experience memory lapses as people get older. As mentioned earlier in this paper, Mrs. White later in her life developed difficulties in performing her own tasks and needed caregivers to visit her twice a week for the same purpose.

In ADL assessment, she scored 3 which indicated major difficulties in performing her tasks. Mental Health and Cognitive Ability Some of the features that were experienced by Mrs. White led to her being diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and that was she was exhibiting the aforementioned problems. Dementia raises several issues to the formal and also informal caregivers and on a larger part also to the society. Although there were trained formal givers attending to Mrs. White, her husband was the closest caregiver and this raises questions. First, is the ability of Mr. White to attend to such an elderly patient given his age and lack of expertise. White live a more full filling life. Also since she has become more physically and more aggressive it is recommended for her to be placed under the care of a physician as non-physician care providers could reduce the chances of detecting cognitive impairment.