Nursing older people Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nursing older people - Essay Example Falls were common with the elder group in acute facilities or aged care ones (Hill et al, 2007). The incidence was higher in the inpatient settings of the various institutions (Hill et al, 2007). In Australia, 38% of adverse events were made up of falls and international figures were similar (Hill et al, 2007). A CDC statistics had reported that falls were a leading cause of death among older adults in the US (2004). Fall prevention was of utmost necessity in a world where the older people were increasing dramatically, living into the 80s and 90s. The critical health care issue of elder abuse and neglect was one filled with dilemmas and problems for nurses. Nurses had to be aware of the causes for abuse, questions for screening and the symptoms as they were the best persons to help reduce the distressing effects. Ideally suited to detect and manage elder abuse and neglect, nurses who were regularly contacting them could identify the marks of abuse on the body of the elder or deduct t he underlying problem of abuse from the attitude of the person (Muehlbauer and Crane, 2006). The nurses were qualified to make physical and psychological assessments. Collaborative efforts with physicians and support services could be helpful in tackling the elder abuse. Authorisation of home health care or advice on hospital admission further elevated their role in handling the abused. Falls in acute care facility Impacts Head injury, soft tissue injury and fractures were the usual consequences of 30-40% of elderly falls (Hill et al, 2007). Psychological trauma in the form of negative effects could occur. The fear of falling again and anxiety troubled the elders (Hill et al, 2007). Prolonged hospitalization or moving into an acute care centre associated with increased costs became necessary (Oliver et al, 2004). The provider was worried over the drop in quality of care and a decreased functioning (Hill, 2007). The family and staff were distressed. Health resource expenditures were increased due to prolonged stay and additional diagnostic procedures and medicines (Hill et al, 2007)). Total cost of falls in the Australian Health Care System was found to be 2.1 million Australian dollars. A hospital in the US reported that hospital stay was 12 more days for fallers than the other patients controlled for age, gender and length of stay up to the fall (Hill et al, 2007) Implications of practice Prevention programmes had included core care plans (Healey et al, 2004) and multidisciplinary teamwork (Haines et al, 2004). An economic evaluation could help decision-makers and administrations in hospitals to provide ample resources for fall prevention moves. Hill had pointed out that costs did not only exist for hospital stay, they continued after discharge for more therapy and support services from the community (2007). The anxiety produced to the patient and care-giver could also be considered as costs. Risk factors were cognitive deficits, Parkinsonism, history of hip fractures and respiratory infections. McCarter-Bayer had indicated acute delirium states, problems of bowel and bladder control, dependence in daily living and disabilities (2005). Environmental, systemic factors, comorbidities, costing data for full research period also needed to be addressed. Identification of