Assignment Description: Aging Adult Case Study: 68-Year-Old

Assignment Descriptionaging Adult Case Studya 68 Year Old Client Lives

Identify what screening tools you would use to assess nutritional and exercise knowledge, and why? Identify two client outcomes that are reasonable, measurable and realistic Identify 3 nursing interventions for each client outcome and give rationales Identify what weakness in the client’s life and supports may be impacting the client’s activity and diet? What referrals would you make and why? Identify your references in APA format. Use references not just opinion.

Paper For Above instruction

The case study presents a 68-year-old independent adult who lives alone, maintains good mobility and cognition, and manages her daily activities without restrictions. Despite her independence, she faces potential health risks related to aging, such as nutritional deficits and decreased physical activity. To ensure holistic care, proper assessment, goal setting, targeted interventions, and appropriate referrals are essential. This paper explores the assessment strategies, measurable outcomes, nursing interventions, potential weaknesses impacting her health, and relevant referrals grounded in evidence-based practice.

Assessment of Nutritional and Exercise Knowledge

Effective assessment begins with validated screening tools tailored for older adults. For nutritional knowledge, the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is highly recommended due to its comprehensive nature, evaluating nutritional risks, dietary intake, weight loss, and psychological factors (Kyle et al., 2006). It provides a quick, reliable method to identify deficiencies and guide interventions. As for exercise knowledge, the Physical Activity and Exercise Questionnaire (PAEQ) can be utilized to gauge understanding of physical activity benefits, frequency, and barriers (Resnick et al., 2008). These tools facilitate tailored education programs and help identify misconceptions or gaps that need addressing.

Client Outcomes

Two realistic and measurable outcomes for this client include:

  1. Improvement in nutritional status, reflected by adequate dietary intake and stabilization of weight within a target range over three months.
  2. Increase in physical activity levels to meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, monitored through activity logs and client feedback within six weeks.

These outcomes are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and directly influence overall health and quality of life.

Nursing Interventions and Rationales

For Outcome 1: Improvement in Nutritional Status

  1. Conduct individualized nutritional counseling: Educate on balanced diet, appropriate calorie intake, and nutritious food choices to promote weight stability (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2019).
  2. Monitor weight and dietary intake weekly: Use food diaries and weigh-ins to track progress and identify patterns needing adjustment (Schoeller & Ravussin, 2009).
  3. Coordinate with a registered dietitian: For personalized meal planning and addressing specific nutritional deficiencies or restrictions (Bear et al., 2018).

For Outcome 2: Increase in Physical Activity Levels

  1. Develop a tailored exercise plan: Incorporate moderate activities such as walking or swimming, considering her mobility and preferences (American College of Sports Medicine, 2019).
  2. Arrange follow-up and motivational support: Weekly check-ins to monitor progress, address barriers, and reinforce motivation (Pender et al., 2018).
  3. Provide education on activity benefits and techniques: To enhance safety and adherence, emphasizing improvements in mood, cardiovascular health, and independence (Chodzko-Zajko et al., 2009).

Weaknesses Impacting Activity and Diet

The client’s reliance on self-reliance and pride may result in underreporting health issues or reluctance to seek help, potentially hindering nutritional or activity improvements. Limited social support might reduce motivation or accountability, and fixed income constraints could restrict access to nutritious foods or exercise resources. Additionally, age-related physiological changes, such as decreased muscle mass and appetite alterations, may influence her activity level and diet quality (Tee et al., 2020). Recognizing these weaknesses allows for targeted support strategies to mitigate their effects.

Referrals

Referrals are vital for comprehensive care. A referral to a registered dietitian is recommended to address nutritional needs, ensuring dietary adequacy within her financial means. Additionally, connecting her with a community senior exercise program or physical therapist can promote safe, manageable physical activity tailored to her abilities (CDC, 2020). A social worker can also assist in connecting her with local resources and support networks to bolster her social and emotional well-being. These multidisciplinary approaches enhance her capacity to maintain independence and improve health outcomes (Miller et al., 2019).

References

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2019). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Strategies for addressing food insecurity in the United States. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(11), 1930-1937.
  • American College of Sports Medicine. (2019). Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 10th edition. Wolters Kluwer.
  • Bear, J. E., et al. (2018). Nutrition management in older adults: Principles and practice. Clinical Nutrition, 37(3), 867-876.
  • Chodzko-Zajko, W. J., et al. (2009). Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(7), 1510-1530.
  • Kyle, U. G., et al. (2006). Towards unified criteria for malnutrition and nutritional assessment. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60(3), 308-316.
  • Miller, M. T., et al. (2019). Multidisciplinary approaches to successful aging. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 13(3), 291-297.
  • Resnick, B., et al. (2008). The Physical Activity and Exercise Questionnaire (PAEQ) for older adults. Rehabilitation Nursing, 33(2), 49-55.
  • Schoeller, D. A., & Ravussin, E. (2009). How diet and physical activity affect weight loss and regain. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(4), 1173S-1177S.
  • Tee, J. T. F., et al. (2020). Age-related changes in appetite and nutritional status. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 20(3), 197-204.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Physical activity and older adults. CDC.gov.

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