K.Y. is an employee-health nurse practitioner for a large corporation.
Case:
K.Y. is an employee-health nurse practitioner for a large corporation. Her role is to advocate for her clients by helping them improve their quality of life, both for the present and the future, through the identification of risk factors, health promotion, and other nursing interventions. The majority of the employees She sees are middle-age adults. Her clients come to see her for a variety of reasons, including stress, mental illness, and on-the-job injuries. K.Y. assists her clients by providing education about healthy lifestyle choices, referrals to community resources, and counseling.
Review the case and answer the questions below:
Make a summary of the typical biological changes in the middle-age adult.
Discuss how you would advise young adults in selecting contraceptive methods. Do you have any personal, religious reservations, or discomforts that would interfere with your ability to advise clients and ask them how they would address these personal conflicts?
Have students develop a smoking cessation plan for a client.
Evaluate the impact of poverty on older adults. Make sure to include the impact on their physical and mental health and health promotion recommendations.
Summary of Typical Biological Changes in Middle-Aged Adults
Middle adulthood (generally 40-65 years old) brings about several biological changes:
- Vision: Presbyopia, difficulty focusing on near objects, becomes common. Night vision may also decline.
- Hearing: Hearing loss, especially for high-frequency sounds, can begin.
- Musculoskeletal system: Muscle mass and bone density decrease, increasing the risk of injuries and osteoporosis (more rapid in women after menopause). Joints may become stiffer and more prone to pain.
- Metabolism: The basal metabolic rate (calories burned at rest) slows down, making weight gain easier.
- Reproductive system: Women experience menopause, marking the end of their menstrual cycles and fertility. Men may experience a gradual decline in testosterone levels and fertility.
- Individualized Approach: Discuss the client's medical history, sexual behavior, and desired level of effectiveness.
- Explain Options: Review the various methods (hormonal pills, condoms, IUDs, etc.), highlighting their effectiveness, benefits, and side effects.
- Address Concerns: Openly discuss any concerns the client has about specific methods, like safety or effectiveness.
- Respect Preferences: Guide the client towards the most suitable option while respecting their personal preferences and religious beliefs, if applicable.
- Setting a quit date: Choose a realistic date and stick to it.
- Identifying triggers: Recognize situations that make you crave cigarettes and develop coping mechanisms.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Patches, gum, or lozenges can help manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral therapy: Counseling can help develop strategies to stay smoke-free and address underlying reasons for smoking.
- Support groups: Connecting with others who are quitting can offer encouragement and accountability.
- Limited access to healthy food: Poor diet can lead to malnutrition, chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and decreased immunity.
- Inadequate housing: Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions can exacerbate health problems.
- Limited access to healthcare: Inability to afford preventive care, medication, and treatment worsens existing health issues.
- Social isolation: Poverty can lead to social isolation and loneliness, contributing to depression and anxiety.
- Stress: Financial worries and lack of security create chronic stress, further impacting physical and mental health.
- Community programs: Develop and promote programs that offer affordable nutritious food, safe housing options, and healthcare services.
- Mental health support: Provide accessible mental health support services to address depression and anxiety.
- Social connections: Encourage social interaction through community centers and senior activities to combat isolation.