Challenges of Caring for Elderly Patients - 1839 Words

As the generation of baby boomers goes into the older adult phase, the number of elderly individuals requiring medical services will certainly magnify (Topaz, Maxim Doron, 2013). Older patients who come to the emergency department usually have more complicated conditions than younger patients. The older persons typically have multiple co-existing diseases, take different medications and present with atypical symptoms (Peters, 2010). The management of elderly patients is further complicated by numerous aging-related changes such as renal and hepatic dysfunctions. In the very busy and crowded emergency department, the older adults stay becomes very distressing as they try to comprehend what is happening around them amidst their hearing, vision and cognitive impairments (Keen, 2008). Aside from these challenges, the care of elderly patients becomes more compromised by the negative attitudes and thinking of healthcare professionals about aging. In the field of gerontology, this phenomenon is termed as ageism. This pertains to the occurrence of discrimination against people due to their increased age (Corner, Brittain Bond, 2007). In a cultural context, ageism is manifested as undervaluing of older adults in society. The term also refers to the false beliefs and stereotypes of elderly individuals which poorly categorize them (Topaz et al., 2013). Studies have shown that older people have experiences with other individuals who wrongly made judgments about them solely basedShow MoreRelatedChallenges Facing The Elderly Population1385 Words   |  6 PagesIn the next several years we in increase in the elderly population that will alter the way we care for our patients. According to Johansson, G., Eklund, K., Gosman-Hedstrà ¶m, G. (2010). â€Å"A greater amount of resources from health and community services is necessary as the number of elderly persons in the community increases†. 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Long-term care often involves the most intimate aspects of peoples lives what and when they eat, personal hygiene, getting dressed, using the bathroom (What is long-term care, 2012Read MoreLong Term Care in America: An Examination of Resources1286 Words   |  5 Pages900,000 more people aged over 65 than there were a decade ago, highlighting just how big the challenge Britain faces in caring for our elderly.  An estimated 16.4 per cent of the population, or 9,223,000 people, are now over 65  as the post-war baby boomers reach their twilight years and  life expectancy continues to rise (Doughty Allen, 2012). Just as people are living longer and longer, a portion of elderly people can generally expect to be diagnosed with some sort of long term condition at some pointRea d MoreA Shocking Case Of Elderly Abuse1250 Words   |  5 PagesThan a Dozen in Custody Following Elder Abuse Investigation. 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I will also be conducting an evidence-based literature review on quality improvementRead More‚Äà ºElderly Care: Attitudes of Nurses‚Äà ¹976 Words   |  4 PagesNURSES ATTITUDE TOWARD THE ELDERLY The world is aging; however chronological age may have little relation to the reality of aging. When caring for this group of people nurses must consider culture, ethnic and racial diversities. Elderly clients will expect that the nurse render culturally competent care and one major aim is to help promote independence and help client maintain or restore activities of daily living. The age 65 becomes the boundary of old age. Why does the age group