Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Chapter Five Promoting Wellness

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Health Promotion  Modern version of “Fountain of Youth” is the concept of health promotion  Current health-care concepts emphasize vitality and independence

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Chronic Disease  80% of older adults experience at least one chronic disease  50% of older adults experience at least three chronic diseases  Most frequent:  Arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, hearing impairments, dementia

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Chronic Disease  Treatment strategies  Treat symptoms  Maximize strengths of older adult  Maintain ability to perform ADLs and IADLs

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Illness/Wellness on a Continuum  Health is a continuum with illness at one end and health at the other end  Health promotion focuses on wellness  Health promotion must include:  Motivation  Desire must be present to make change  Explore what motivates the older person  Internal and external

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Illness/Wellness on a Continuum  Health promotion (cont.)  Incentives  Reasons for participating in health promotion  Identified through caring and focused interview  Health-promotion activities  Find properly designed activities that are focused on needs of older adults  Individualized activities for each person

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutrition  General health is determined by the effects of dietary patterns over the years  Aging changes that affect optimum nutrition  Metabolism slows  Senses of taste and smell decrease  Decrease in socialization opportunities  Environmental changes

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutrition  Poor dietary habits contribute to disease in old age  Heart disease  Cancer  Osteoporosis  Health-promotion activities should be aimed at changing dietary habits

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Exercise  Stimulates the mind  Maintains fitness  Slows progression of some diseases  Helps establish social contacts  Improves quality of life

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Inactivity leads to:  Fatigue  Lack of energy  Poor sleeping patterns  Poor circulation  Muscle wasting  Decreased bone density

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Exercise improves or slows the progression of chronic diseases  Regular exercise for older adults should emphasize increase in:  Strength  Flexibility  Endurance

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Strengthening  Build and maintain muscle condition  Short-term illness decreases muscle strength  Weak muscles lead to falls  Flexibility  Exercises include slow stretching motions  Prevent muscles from becoming short and tight  Motions should be done gradually and slowly

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Exercise program should be approved by physician  Endurance  Improves function of heart, lungs, and blood vessels  Aerobic exercises best—swimming, walking, cycling  Correct breathing technique should be emphasized

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Stress  Motivates people to act, think under pressure, be creative  Need to maintain balance between positive stress and harmful stress  Stress can increase risk of developing or worsening chronic diseases

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Stress (cont.)  Stress in older adults is related to:  Environment—weather, crime, crowds, time pressures  Body—illness, accidents, lack of sleep, normal aging changes  Mind—boredom, despair, hopelessness

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Stress (cont.)  Assist older adult in recognizing personal stress  Stress log  Daily journal  Develop interventions to relieve stress  Quickie relaxers  Long-term management skills

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Exercise and Fitness  Stress (cont.)  Stress management options  Symptom relief  Accept stressors  Alter stressors  Avoid stressors

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Lifestyles  Various lifestyles have impact on health promotion  Relationships  As people grow older, relationships end or change  Divorce  Death of spouse, child, friend, pet  Retirement

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Lifestyles  Alcohol and drugs  Serious problem in older adults  Chronic abusers  Excessive drinkers later in life  Combination with OTC and prescription drugs a concern  Need to assess for alcohol and drug use

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Self-Care  Self-care is the individual’s efforts to maintain optimal health and functionality  Older adults best qualified to keep themselves healthy  Self-care involves  Accepting responsibility for own health  Adopting healthy habits  Making changes to accomplish what you want

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Self-Care  Encourage individuals to participate in maintaining or improving their health  Nurses should offer activities that promote self care  Nurses should create an environment that assists with self-care