Running head: EPIDEMIOLOGY; THE ELDERLY AND INFLUENZA Epidemiology; The Elderly and Influenza NAME University of Phoenix DATE Epidemiology; The Elderly and Influenza Introduction Any compromise of wellness becomes a significant concern to the elderly, related to their advanced age, housing arrangements and limited income. Those three things often preclude appropriate treatment and speedy recovery. This paper will discuss epidemiology as well as the types of epidemiology to identify a health problem, the triangle of epidemiology and the relationship between this process and the elderly with influenza. Relevant Population and Disease Elderly people have much more difficulty warding off contagious illnesses like influenza and must pay particularly close attention to even the smallest changes in their overall sense of well being. Those over the age of 65 years old and with compromised immune systems are considered prime candidates for influenza.
Vulnerable Population Paper As defined by cambridge advanced learner's dictionary (2002), vulnerability is the ability to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked. The elderly in America are considered to be a vulnerable population in regards to health, wellness and provision of healthcare. While this consideration may sometimes be based on assumptions related to age and wellness, there are increased risk factors that do place majority of this population at a higher risk for illness and injury. Most of the risk factors that come along with age can affect one’s health are decreased mobility, increased incidence of chronic disease, possible social isolation, financial decline related to voluntary or involuntary retirement, nutritional needs, and a host of age related changes and illnesses that affect this group. They may have significant emotional losses, such as that of a spouse or home or other drastic changes that affect and change their previous lives and views of self.
Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Nurs 440 May 27, 2013 Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness There are many types of vulnerable populations in today’s society that are vulnerable to certain illnesses or diseases. One of the most common vulnerable populations is the elderly. As the age increases most often it also corresponds with cognitive changes, specifically dementia. Chronic illnesses in the elderly increase their vulnerability and begin to be more dependent on others for assistance. Upon growing older there many choices to be made and one of the most difficult is having to place the elder person in a nursing home when he/she is no longer capable of being independent.
Describe the healing process of a grade 3 decubitus ulcer. Discuss how aging may affect the process of healing. Decubitus ulcers are also known as pressure sores or bedsores, and can be difficult to define. The most accurate definition of a decubitus ulcer is the “breakdown of skin, usually over a bony prominence, due to compromised blood flow caused by pressure” (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 1989). Decubitus ulcers are a common condition affecting the elderly as aging, the process of getting old, causes the skin to change dramatically (Landi et al, 2007).
Hospitalisation is often the cause of deconditioning, particularly due to the focus on bed rest in order to recover from illness, or the limited mobility resulting from surgery. As some degree of functional decline is inevitable in ageing (Killewich 2006) older people hospitalised in an acute setting are at greater risk of the problems caused by inactivity. This is due to the changes in body composition and function, including sarcopenia, demineralisation, loss of aerobic capacity, loss of vasomotor stability and changes in respiratory function which occur as individuals age (Killewich, 2006). Functional decline of older patients is the leading complication in hospitalisation of the elderly, as the decreased activity associated with bed rest can lead to accelerated bone loss, dehydration, malnutrition, delirium, sensory deprivation, skin breakdown and incontinence (Kleinpell, Fletcher & Jennings 2008). Deconditioning during hospitalisation occurs rapidly in older people, with functional decline from baseline apparent by day two (Kleinpell, Fletcher & Jennings 2008).
COMPULSIVE HOARDING AND THE ELDERLY PATIENT 1 Compulsive Hoarding and the Elderly Patient Compulsive Hoarding and the Elderly Patient 2 Compulsive Hoarding and the Elderly Patient I. Introduction of the topic Hoarding is a multifaceted problem that stems from several deficits or difficulties. (Steketee et al., 2001) Hoarding is more likely to be a problem when a person ages because people tend to have more difficulties managing their collections of items. As the older population continues to expand in the United States the nurses, social workers and other medical professions will encounter the conduct and behavior of the hoarder. Many nurses do not have the expertise in dealing with this issue but it is now in the spot light because of media coverage (Steketee et al., 2001).
Elderly people with psychosis related to dementia (for example, an inability to perform daily activities as a result of increased memory loss), treated with antipsychotic medicines including ABILIFY, are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis (see Boxed WARNING). Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, teenagers, and young adults, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are themselves associated with an increase in the risk of suicide. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual
Introduction This article is about people with long-term, often repeated episodes of homelessness who also has alcohol problems. The author identifies the reason for this study is the barriers set by housing agencies are to in depth. The agencies have a long list of test and medical guidelines to follows. A Brief Summary The author chose this reason because it is believed that if barriers need to be lowered to obtain a spot in the housing units. Homeless people would attempt or even be entered into the house faster.
For someone experiencing depression, there is usually more than one cause. The causes are categorised by the following: * Genetics – Though depression is usually developed due to life experience, there is strong evidence that genetically, some people may be more prone than others. * Illness – Certain illnesses, particularly Cancers, can cause depression. * Ageing brain – Depression is easily developed in the elderly, this could be due to the pre stages of dementia, history of low blood pressure, or just the general slowing of brain function. * Stress – Stress plays a major part in the illness of depression, this can be the stress of loving a loved one, pressure at work or from family.
Fall Risks and Prevention Strategies Fall Risks and Prevention Strategies Falls are a problem for most of the elderly population in the home, acute care setting, and long term care setting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC;2013), there is one out of three people over the age of 65 who have fallen and suffered serious injuries and even death. This has become a problem for patients, families, and healthcare facilities that can be prevented through education and awareness of surroundings. Falls can be devastating to patients due to increased hospital stay and decreased mobility. The purpose of this paper is to discuss data associated with falls, and identify risks and prevention strategies.