how do you deal with a geriatric patient

Full Answer

How to give back care to the patient?

• Keep it simple. Efforts to give back to health care workers need not be extraordinary. Simple gestures like preparing a weeknight meal for health care workers and their families, offering to babysit on a weekend afternoon or tackle a few chores around the house can help exhausted health care workers catch their breath.

What does geriatric care do?

What does a geriatric specialist do?

• Specialize in advanced care of older adults
• Integrate care. Geriatricians can act as a point of contact on a team of healthcare providers, keeping track of complex drug interactions and prioritizing treatments for people who may be ...
• Foster healthy aging. Aging presents unique physical, cognitive, emotional, and social challenges. ...

What are the duties of patient care?

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

• Maintaining Healthy Habits. ...
• Being Respectful to Providers. ...
• Being Honest With Providers. ...
• Complying With Treatment Plans. ...
• Preparing for Emergencies. ...
• Reading Behind the Headlines. ...
• Making Decisions Responsibly. ...
• Understanding Prescription Drugs and Their Possible Effects. ...
• Meeting Financial Obligations. ...
• Reporting Fraud and Wrongdoing. ...

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How do I become a geriatric physician?

• Finish four years of premedical education in a college or university;
• Earn a medical degree from a qualified medical school;
• Complete three to five years of full-time experience in a residency training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME);

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Why do geriatric patients have a tendency to be manipulative?

What is an appropriate nursing diagnosis associated with attention seeking and accusatory behaviors?

How to communicate effectively in nursing?

How to work with family to prevent manipulative behavior?

How to be accountable for exemplary care?

What are common geriatric problems?

High blood pressure might be an intergenerational problem, but issues like cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, urinary incontinence, vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases are far more common among older adults.

What special considerations do you think are involved in geriatric care?

Here are some of the items a geriatric care assessment might measure.Functional ability. ... Physical health.Socioeconomic health.Nutrition.Balance/fall prevention (something that can be improved)Hearing.Vision.Mental health, including depression, dementia, isolation, and social skills.

When communicating with an elderly patient it is important to remember that?

Listen without interrupting the patient. Speak slowly, clearly and loudly. Use short, simple words and sentences. Stick to one topic at a time.

What are roles & responsibilities of geriatric caregiver?

Cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, helping with medical appointments, and managing medications are some of the duties of an elderly caregiver. But your responsibilities will ultimately depend on your loved one's health and needs.

What would be your nursing responsibility if the patient is geriatric?

When working with their patients, a geriatric nurse will: Assess the patient's mental status and cognitive (thinking) skills. Understand patient's acute and chronic health issues. Discuss common health concerns, such as falls, incontinence, changing sleep patterns and sexual issues.

How do you talk to an elderly person?

Effective Communication Methods: How to Talk to Elderly PeopleGive your full attention and be patient if they are unable to speak at a faster pace.Let them speak freely without interruption.Focus on one topic at a time. ... Choose the right environment for a conversation.More items...•

How do you communicate with confused elderly?

Tips for Communicating with a Confused PatientTry to address the patient directly, even if his or her cognitive capacity is diminished.Gain the person's attention. ... Speak distinctly and at a natural rate of speed. ... Help orient the patient. ... If possible, meet in surroundings familiar to the patient.More items...

What are 5 strategies you should use to communicate with people with dementia?

Tips for successful communication:Engage the person in one-on-one conversation in a quiet space that has minimal distractions.Speak slowly and clearly.Maintain eye contact. ... Give the person plenty of time to respond so he or she can think about what to say.Be patient and offer reassurance. ... Ask one question at a time.More items...

What are some special considerations that might be unique to elderly nutrition?

Unique Needs for Ages 60+ Be sure to choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. Get enough protein throughout your day to maintain muscle mass. Focus on the nutrients you need, including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber, and vitamin B12.

What is the most important consideration when caring for a geriatric trauma patient?

Monitoring — Particularly in older trauma patients, who may not manifest obvious signs of injury, close monitoring is essential. Monitoring should include serial examinations, including vital signs, mental status, and reassessment of any areas of concern.

What are four of the major concerns for people involved in the care of elderly persons?

The four major old age problems include:Physical problems.Cognitive problems.Emotional problems.Social problems.

What are the considerations in assessing the elderly?

The guideline recommends assessing decline in physical and mental capacities (mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, cognition, and depression) as well as assessing two geriatric syndromes (urinary incontinence and risk for falls).

Interventions to deter Attention Seeking Behaviour - allnurses

Looking for some insight/advice. I am a Registered Nurse who began my nursing career with my LVN in 2015. I have worked clinics, skilled nursing facilities, pyschiatry, cardiac progressive care and within the two years Resource Pool. I am interested in advancing into leadership but having a hard ...

when resident accuse staff falsly - Geriatric, LTC - allnurses

Has a resident falsly accuse me of abuse, it was researched as unfounded, mainly because I never approach this resident without a witness. Now that the power tripper did not get her way, I am worried the resident will have it out for me, like accuse me of hiting her or something when I was not even around her the state always takes their word over the staff.

Care Plan Worksheet And Example Goals and Steps - Contra Costa County

This worksheet (ARIES Master Data Collection Form) can be used to remind Medical Case Managers of the data elements required for the creation of a care plan in ARIES.

7 Best Practices for Managing Difficult Behaviors in Long Term Care

7 environmental best practices for reducing and preventing unwanted behavior among long-term care residents. With all the recent restrictions on psychotropic medications in skilled nursing facilities, many facilities find themselves struggling with a resurgence in unwanted resident behaviors that were previously well-managed by anti-psychotics, benzodiazepines and other drugs.

Communicating with Manipulative Clients - Wanterfall

Manipulative behaviour by patients is managed by nursing staff by early recognition, staff support, sharing information, making a plan, setting limits and good communication.

How to help older people?

There are many ways to help, such as working with campaigns or polling centers. Go on fun outings. Enjoying fun activities enhances happiness, intellectual growth, and social interaction. There are all sorts of outing possibilities for older folks, such as movies, museums, parks, comedy clubs, and shopping.

What Is Geriatric Therapy?

Geriatrics is “a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging” (Geriatric, n.d.).

What is the most prevalent mental health issue faced by the elderly?

Depression represents one of the most prevalent and serious mental health issues faced by the elderly.

Which therapy is effective for depression?

Interpersonal Therapy, which has been found effective to treat depression, is implemented in the following three phases (Miller, 2008):

Is group therapy good for depression?

Group therapy may also help to reduce social isolation. The limited research available suggests that group therapy is a good option for older people with depression (Agronin, 2009; Tavares & Barbosa, 2018). Here are five examples of studies showing evidence for the benefits of group therapy among older people:

Is RT a good treatment for depression?

Research suggests that RT is a viable approach to treat depression among the aging. For example, among elderly depressed women in an assisted living facility, those who took part in RT experienced significantly lower depression symptoms after the three-week intervention (Jones, 2003).

Is RT good for dementia?

Although often used to improve memory among dementia patients, RT may also be helpful for enhancing mood among older people. RT is useful as both an individual or group therapy, and as a standalone or adjunct approach. Research suggests that RT is a viable approach to treat depression among the aging.

What to do if patient has trouble reading?

If your patient has trouble reading, consider alternatives such as recording instructions, providing large pictures or diagrams, or using aids such as specially configured pillboxes.

How to give older people time to process?

Older people may have trouble following rapid-fire questioning or torrents of information. By speaking more slowly, you will give them time to process what is being asked or said. If you tend to speak quickly, especially if your accent is different from what your patients are used to hearing, try to slow down. This gives them time to take in and better understand what you are saying.

How to introduce yourself to a patient?

Show from the start that you accept the patient and want to hear his or her concerns. If you are in a hospital setting, remember to explain your role or refresh the patient’s memory of it .

How long should you wait to interrupt a doctor?

Avoid interrupting. One study found that doctors, on average, interrupt patients within the first 18 seconds of the initial interview. Once interrupted, a patient is less likely to reveal all of his or her concerns. This means finding out what you need to know may require another visit or some follow-up phone calls.

How to respond to patients' emotions?

Watch for opportunities to respond to patients' emotions, using phrases such as "That sounds difficult," or " I'm sorry you're facing this problem; I think we can work on it together." Studies show that clinical empathy can be learned and practiced and that it adds less than a minute to the patient interview. It also has rewards in terms of patient satisfaction, understanding, and adherence to treatment.

How to establish respect for a patient?

Establish respect right away by using formal language. As one patient said, "Don't call me Edna, and I won't call you Sonny." Use Mr., Mrs., Ms., and so on. Or, you might ask your patient about preferred forms of address and how she or he would like to address you. Avoid using familiar terms, like "dear" and "hon," which tend to sound patronizing.

How to talk to a patient?

Face the patient, maintain eye contact, and when he or she is talking, use frequent, brief responses, such as "okay," "I see," and "uh-huh." Active listening keeps the discussion focused and lets patients know you understand their concerns.

How to help a dementia patient?

Do Make Sure That the Dementia Patient Gets Enough Rest, Food and Water. Fatigue, hunger and thirst may cause combativeness. Ensure that the person with dementia is well fed, hydrates enough, and gets adequate sleep and rest. In line with this, they should also have enough bathroom breaks.

How to deal with dementia?

It helps to have an open mind when dealing with an individual who has dementia. Try and keep up with their pace without having to rush them too much. It is advisable to avoid trying to teach new information or ask the affected individuals to do something that they have not previously done.

What is the condition that results in irrational behavior and causes dementia sufferers to act the way they do?

Do not forget that dementia is the condition that results in irrational behavior and causes dementia sufferers to act the way they do. The patients demand plenty of patience and forgiveness from the people looking after them. Have the heart to let things go instead of carrying grudges around for something that the patient may not be in control of.

Why is routine important for dementia patients?

Scientists state that habits belong to their own memory structure, which remains intact for long periods even when the patient loses their most recent memory skills. Routine helps dementia patients to know what to do on a daily basis. Caregivers should strive to include meaningful activities in the routine for as long as possible as a way of ensuring that the person with the condition has a sense of independence and purpose in life.

Why do people with dementia need to take pictures?

It is best to use large pictures that have clear labels because many people who have dementia often have declining or poor eyesight. Try and select meaningful moments, and you can also make it an activity where patients can create scrapbooks with the people they love.

Why do people with dementia share photos?

Do Share Photos. At times, the behavior that dementia patients exhibit is because they are missing a person or place they love. Experts suggest for caregivers to go through as many photos as possible with the person with the illness.

How to communicate with a dementia patient?

It is vital to ensure that you talk in a place that has good lighting, a place that is quiet and without too many distractions. Do not try and stand over the person you are talking to, but rather try to be at their level and keep eye contact at all times. Take care to make sure that body language is relaxed and open. Prepare to spend quality time with the person so that they do not feel rushed or like they are a bother.

How to help a caregiver with dementia?

As a caregiver, the best thing you can do is not take it personally. Focus on the positive, ignore the negative and take a break from caregiving as often as you can by finding respite care. Get some fresh air, do something you love or call a friend to vent.

How to stop a dementia patient from swearing?

When a swearing tirade sets in, another technique is to use distraction . The outburst may end once they’re focused on something else, especially for dementia patients. Try bringing up happy times from the old days. Elders love to reminisce, and prompting them to change the subject and tap into their long-term memory will likely cause them to forget about whatever it is that set them off in the first place. If none of these suggestions work, your best bet is to learn not to take this behavior personally. When a senior becomes hostile, back off, disappear for a little while and wait for it to blow over.

What are the behaviors that can disrupt the daily lives of seniors and their caregivers?

Obsessive or Compulsive Behaviors . Saving tissues, worrying if it’s time to take their medications, constantly picking at their skin and hypochondria, are all types of obsessive behaviors that can disrupt the daily lives of seniors and their caregivers.

What causes agitation in elderly?

When this behavior is out of character for an elder and gradually gets worse, the start of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is a likely cause. If the onset is quite sudden, a urinary tract infection is another common culprit. UTIs present very differently in seniors than in younger individuals, and symptoms often include behavioral changes like agitation.

Why do seniors lash out at their caregivers?

Occasionally, seniors will lash out at the person who is making the biggest effort to ensure their happiness and well-being. Left unchecked, the anger and frustration described above can become so severe that it results in abuse of the caregiver.

Why do older people not bathe?

The issue of elders refusing to bathe, change their clothes and maintain good personal hygiene is far more common than most people think. It’s also very frustrating for family caregivers. Sometimes depression is the cause, but another factor could be a desire for control. As people age, they lose more and more control over their lives. However, one thing they generally can control is how they dress and when they shower. It seems the more you nag older adults to take a bath and put on fresh clothes, the more they resist.

How to help someone who is being abused?

If the abuse is verbal or emotional, help them realize how much you do for them by stepping back for a while. If your loved one requires supervision and assistance to ensure their safety, then bring in outside help to take over your duties. Removing yourself from the situation may drive home the point that abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Your loved one might come away from the experience with renewed appreciation for what you do. In the meantime, you’ll get some valuable respite.

How to help elderly people with physical challenges?

1. Exercise Patience and Compassion. It goes without saying that patience and compassion are often needed when dealing with the elderly. Physical challenges, slow movement, forgetfulness, neediness, and apathy are just some of the behaviors you might encounter. Sometimes it’s easy to lose patience and become frustrated.

What is the best way to give an older adult a choice?

This can be something as simple as asking whether the senior would like to have choice A or choice B for lunch. Having the ability to exercise choice can provide the older adult a greater sense of confidence, esteem, and security, as the senior feels the power to be proactive in life.

What is empathy for older adults?

“He does everything so slowly. It must be hard to deal with arthritis every day.”. Having empathy for the older adult is an effective way to generate more patience and compassion.

What is the core need of seniors?

As mentioned in an earlier section, one of the core needs of many seniors is to feel relevant and respected. You can help validate these needs by frequently asking instead of ordering when communicating with the older adult. For example:

Why is it important to offer choices to older adults?

Many older adults desire to maintain a sense of independence. This may be especially important when seniors feel their physical and cognitive limitations, but still desire ways to maintain some level of local control in their lives.

How to handle unreasonable and difficult people?

In conclusion, to know how to handle unreasonable and difficult people is to truly master the art of communication. As you utilize these skills, you may experience less grief, greater confidence, better relationships, and higher communication prowess. You are on your way to leadership success!

Why is asking questions important for seniors?

Asking questions offers the senior a greater sense of respect and regard. Offering options gives her or him a greater sense of control of the immediate environment.

How to care for people with dementia?

Eventually, people with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks . This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing.

How to help someone with dementia?

Help get an activity started or join in to make the activity more fun. People with dementia may lack interest or initiative and can have trouble starting activities. But, if others do the planning, they may join in. Add music to exercises or activities if it helps motivate the person. Dance to the music if possible.

Why is it so hard to communicate with people with dementia?

Communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias because they have trouble remembering things. They also can become agitated and anxious, even angry.

What is the National Institute on Aging?

The National Institute on Aging funds Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers across the U.S. that offer support groups and programs for people with dementia and their families. Search for a center near you.

How to make a home safer for someone with dementia?

As a caregiver or family member to a person with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, you can take steps to make the home a safer place. Removing hazards and adding safety features around the home can help give the person more freedom to move around independently and safely. Try these tips:

How to help a person with a syphilis?

Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day. Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar. Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.

Do caregivers live with dementia?

Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For many families, caring for a person with dementia isn’t just one person’s job, but the role of many people who share tasks and responsibilities. No matter what kind of caregiver you are, taking care of another person can be overwhelming at times.

Why do geriatric patients have a tendency to be manipulative?

In the acute setting, patient distress because of sudden changes in health status, diminished functioning, and cognitive changes may cause geriatric patients to engage in accusatory behaviors such as claiming a nurse did not respond to requests for pain medicine.

What is an appropriate nursing diagnosis associated with attention seeking and accusatory behaviors?

Nursing diagnosis. An appropriate nursing diagnosis associated with attention-seeking and accusatory behaviors is anxiety related to diminished autonomy as exhibited by manipulative behaviors. Report episodes of anxious behavior so that the physician or nurse practitioner can order a consult for a psychiatric evaluation as appropriate.

How to communicate effectively in nursing?

The hallmark of effective and therapeutic communication is the active listening of an assertive nurse. As Radtke writes, “The nursing process, moreover as a scientific method of exercise and implementation of nursing, is achieved through dialogue, through interpersonal environment and with specific skills of verbal communication.” Speaking in a clear and direct manner, maintaining eye contact, using a moderate tone of voice, and presenting oneself professionally are forms of therapeutic communication. While rendering superb nursing service is always the goal, asking questions in a way that limits the answer to affirmative or negative responses may be beneficial. This will give the manipulative patient less opportunity to become agitated or anxious.

How to work with family to prevent manipulative behavior?

Work with the family and develop a trusting relationship that can be used in the event of manipulative behavior or claims of misconduct. Conduct progress meetings with both the family and patient present to ensure expectations are understood by all parties.

How to be accountable for exemplary care?

One of the best ways to become accountable for exemplary care is to advocate for the patient’s autonomy. Giving the patient choices regarding his or her care restores a sense of control that is imperative to feeling secure. Many times the lack of a routine or schedule prompts a patient to allege that the nurse is neglectful. Formulating a schedule and faithfully notifying the manipulative patient of changes will demonstrate that you believe he or she is worthy of your time and efforts.