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NRSG266 Healthy Ageing Promotion Assessment One Answer

NRSG266 Assessment One: Written Assessment

Weighting 40% Word limit 1200 words +1- 10%

Assessment Criteria: Appendix 1 of the NRSG266 unit outline

Learning Outcomes: LO1 critically analyse the concept of healthy ageing and its promotion at an individual and community level: (GA4) LO2 understand experiences of ageing and how these are impacted by biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultural factors: (GA1, GA4)

Presentation : 1.5 spacing; 11-point Anal or Calibri font. No headings, cover pages, bullets, numbering, tables, or diagrams are to be used. Footer is to include your name, student number and word count This is an academic essay and as such, 3. person writing is required.

Referencing: APA 6th Edition as per the ACU study guide. References must meet the academic standards of recency, relevance and reliability. Minimum of 12 current (within five years) and credible references are to be used.

Task

The World Health Organisation (2015) states:

"Healthy ageing is a process of developing and maintain the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age. Functional ability is about having the capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they have reason to value"

Using the context provided in the statement above, critically analyse your role as a registered nurse in empowering the older adult. In your response discuss current evidence-based approaches to the promotion of healthy ageing.

Answer

Healthy ageing promotion 

In Australia, around 3.8 million people were aged 65 and above in 2017 which indicating that the country will have 8.8 million older people by the end of 2057(Australian College of Nursing, 2020). In Australia, the elderly population of Aboriginal have their unique healthcare and support needs from the other older Australians. It has been recognised that more than one elder in ten live in rural and remote areas of Australia and suffering from financial and social disadvantages which has negative impact of on the health ageing concept. 

Healthy ageing is a process of optimising the opportunities of mental, physical, and social well-being of older population and motivate them to take active participation in society without prejudice and to improve their quality of life and appreciate the independence. Every individual in the world should have equal opportunity to live a healthy and long live. Healthy ageing requires changing in environment and opportunities that enable the functional capability in elder people(WHO, 2020). Absence of disease or infirmity is not only required for healthy ageing but healthy mental and social relationships is an important part of healthy ageing process. In healthy ageing process environment plays an important role as it can affect the behaviour and health risks of the elder population. Positive environmental changes can assure quality of health and social care facilities for the elder section of the community. In addition, positive environmental changes can also help in maintaining the functional ability of elder people which includes participation in decision making process, contribute to the society, and lead an active, independent life, maintaining social relationships, and growing knowledge and skills.     

As per biopsychosocial model, the health and illness of an elderly people is not only dependent on biological and physical changes of the individual but also influenced by the psychological, social, and behavioural process of the individual (Malone & Dadswell, 2018).  Studies revealed that religion, culture, and spirituality can influence the experiences of ageing. The values, beliefs, and behaviour of the individual are influenced by their culture and religion. It has been observed that spirituality and beliefs can act as strength for the older people suffering from health issues. Therefore, such aspect can be utilised for developing the coping skills in individual. The spirituality, beliefs, and culture can provide social support to the individual and help in positive ageing(Chaves & Gil, 2015). 

Registered nurses (RN) have an important role in promotion of healthy ageing in elderly population of Australia. Culturally safe practice can improve the quality of care. Therefore, development of professional relationship with older clients, maintenance of privacy and confidentiality along with respectful behaviour with the clients is important for promoting the healthy ageing strategy.  The RN should promote and represent the concept of healthy ageing by showing respect and empathy towards the older people(Wu, Drevenhorn & Carlsson, 2020). In nursing care practice, effective communication can help in understanding the barrier and difficulties of care users which needs to be overcome for offering quality care and services. The RN should have sufficient knowledge about the aged care system, facilities including the community based services, acute care facilities and residential care facilities for elder people. It can guide and provide information to the older people in their crisis situation. The RN should enlarge their knowledge and skills about the complex acute and chronic co-morbid condition in ageing population for offering better care to the elderly people. Person-centred care facilities require professional attitudes, values, and skills of the RN(Australian College of Nursing, 2020). The most important aspect is to understanding the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social needs of the elder people to propose quality services for them. The elderly client should be motivated for their empowerment and choices by considering the legal and ethical frameworks. It is important to implement and monitor the strategies for promoting quality services and preventing the risk in care facilities for elder people. The nurses should provide more attention in eliminating the risk of pressure ulcer, fall, and medical error in geriatric care. In addition, promotion of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is essential for healthy ageing practice.

Ageing population in Australia

Fig: Ageing population in Australia (Australian College of Nursing, 2020)

Ageing is a process influence by the genetic and modifiable factors. Decreasing in functional capability is responsible for dependency, mortality, and morbidity in elder people. In developed countries, the age related impairments and limitations can be modified with sophisticated medical intervention and practice. Studies suggested that lifestyle changes can able to eliminate the non-communicable diseases in elder people. Physically active lifestyle with proper diet can help to increase the life expectancy of elder people. As per Stuck (2002), health assessment of elder people in regular interval can be beneficial for lowering the mortality rate in elder population (Racgp.org, 2017).  It can be assumed that appropriate intervention along with follow up is essential for promoting health and reducing the functional capabilities in elderly people. In general, older people are suffering from co-morbidities. In such condition lifestyle changes can improve the overall health status of the individual rather than concentrating on single disease (Kalache et al., 2019).

Lifestyle modification in older people can help in maintaining the physical, mental, and cognitive health of the elder people. Physical activity in ageing population can drastically change their health and well-being(Marsman et al., 2018). Health literacy can make the patient self sufficient by providing information about their healthy lifestyle and practice. It can motivate them to follow the regular exercise and dietary modifications for their well-being.        

Ageing can bring psychological changes in older people. Recent studies identified that the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and confusion can be managed by the behavioural techniques and medications (Racgp.org, 2017). The healthcare professionals should encourage the problem solving capabilities of older people and goal setting approach to identify their cognitive and psychological challenges. The poor mental healthcare support is responsible for highest rate of suicide in men aged 80 years and above(Racgp.org, 2017). The poor mental health in older people can precipitate different psych-physiological consequences which include loneliness, insomnia, cognitive decline, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The consequences can be eliminated with early detection and intervention process(HHS.gov, 2020). The healthcare professional should motivate the elderly people to participating in social engagement, joining the community activities, volunteering creating, and group support intervention to develop the coping skills of their loneliness and depression. 

The older people were suffering from social discrimination, negative stereotype, and negligence in healthcare facilities. The person-centred care should be free from all kind of discrimination and offer appropriate treatment for the clients regardless of their age and social positioning(Kullman, 2015). In this respect, cultural competency and practice can help to eliminate the discrimination in healthcare settings. Studies revealed that positive stereotype can enhance the self esteem of the elder people and increase their functional capabilities. The positivity in the society about the ageing can enhance the physical and mental well-being of elder people that increase their life expectancy. The positive behaviour of the care givers can help to create therapeutic relationship with the clients. It helps them to restore their functional capacity and motivate them to participate in normal community life(Woo, 2017).            

Healthy ageing requires an aged friendly primary care facilities and sufficient knowledge of the healthcare providers. The appropriate training of the healthcare professionals, proper management and monitoring system of the healthcare facilities can help to identify the needs of the ageing population. At present, the current healthcare system of Australia is able to engage the older people in decision making process and respect their choices (health.vic, 2020). The improved residential care facilities can able to provide better care to the ageing population and work together for increasing the life expectancy of elder people.                      

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