WGU study guide for care of the older adult OA

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Baby Boomers large group of people born between 1946-1964. Considered more affluent, better educated and healthier. Baby boomers have entered the older age group as of 2011 Baby Boomers unique c... haracteristics that make them a challenge for healthcare professionals They expect and demand excellence in geriatric care. Health disparities exist among minority elder group. Other vulnerable older adults are veterans, those with disabilities, and prisoners. 00:43 01:21 Top five racial groups in United States European Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans European Americans individualistic, stoic (don't want to be a burden to others), elder Europeans lose their sense of self worth. Trust authority (will tend to follow health care advice) European Americans - top five health disparities smoking by pregnant women, drug induced deaths, deaths from poisoning, deaths from melanoma, and deaths from COPD before age 45. African Americans second larges minority populations. Role of religion and spirituality plays important role in health and wellness. Equate good luck, good fortune, and good health with being right with God. Disease and illness can be thought of as being in disfavor with God. Believe they have less control over their health and well being than God. Illness/disease is part of God's plan. Closer ties with extended families and rely on their close family ties for support. Distrustful of health care personnel because of discrimination in medical care and because most authority figures in health care are not African Americans. African Americans - top five health disparities new cases of gonorrhea, congenital syphilis, new cases of AIDS, and deaths due to HIV infection. The impact of racism has long been considered one of the factors that contribute to decreased longevity and increases of chronic illnesses Hispanic Americans high values on family, religion, and community. Emphasize family interdependence over independence. They turn to family first before seeking outside health care. Seek the use of homeopathic remedies in conjunction with religious artifacts before engaging the health care professional. They disagree with is silence and noncompliance. May not seek health care because they feel that their illness/disease is a punishment of sins. Many do not seek health care because they do not have access to it (lack of insurance, communication difficulties, or fear of ramifications due to being in country illegally. Religion varies. Strive to achieve balance between "hot" or "cold" within the body. Illnesses are categorized as either hot or cold, and treated with reciprocal type of substance, found in either food or medicine. Diabetes and heart disease are two health problems that have increased within this cultural group Hispanic Americans - top 5 health disparities congenital syphilis, new case of TB, new cases of AIDS, exposure to particulate matter, and cirrhosis deaths Asian Americans most still practice holistic (naturalistic) medicine and may incorporate this as an adjunct to Western medicine. Use herbal supplements Majority of influence comes from Confucianism (stresses accommodation and avoids confrontation). Follows a naturalistic perspective, defining health and illness as a balance between the individual and the world around the individual. (Strives to be in harmony with the universe in which he or she lives) Basic concept of Chinese medicine is that all things, including the body, are composed of opposing forces called yin and yang. (Health is said to depend on balance of these forces). Chinese medicine focuses on maintaining the yin-yang balance to maintain health and prevent illness. If the balance of yin and yang is broken, it is essential to restore the balance. To regain balance, the belief is that the balance between the internal body organs and the external elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal must be adjusted. Treatments may involve - acupuncture, moxibustion (burning of herbal leaves on or near the body), cupping (the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain parts of the body), massage, herbal remedies, movement and concentration exercises (tai chi) Some elders may forgo life sustaining treatment because of the principles of ren. Ren is the golden rule of Chines decision making "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself". Asian Americans - top 5 disparities new cases of TB, congenital syphilis, no pap test among females > 18, exposure to particulate matter, and carbon monoxide exposure Native Americans Insulated from the rest of the country, either literally (by way of land reservation) or in other ways such as linguistically. Follow naturalistic approach, believing that health is a balance of the mind, body, and spirit, and illness occurs when there is an imbalance or disharmony with nature. Health beliefs are blended with religion, carrying a magic facet as well as holistic and naturalistic approaches [Show More]

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