Posted: May 20th, 2023

Elderly Adult Assessment

Elderly Adult Assessment

PART I. You are to interview either an older adult male or female over the age of 65. In order to preserve confidentiality, identify them as “O.M.” or “O.F.” and include their age and ethnicity. Describe their living situation (i.e., home alone, home with family members, home with Helpance, etc.), and describe the type of dwelling they reside in and in what kind of environment (i.e., rural 2 story, urban apartment, etc.).

Part II. Interview the older adult using the specific interview questions provided below. Summarize the results in a narrative format (not a Q&A format), and also address the “student reflection” part of the assignment in the same section, using the appropriate headings. a. Interview Questions: • How often do you experience pain? • What is the origin of this pain, and how long have you experienced this pain?

• Does the pain interfere with your everyday activities? Which ones? • Did you report your pain to a healthcare professional, such as a nurse or physician? Why or why not? • If you received treatment for your pain, what kind, and were you satisfied with the treatment? • Do you believe pain is a normal part of aging? • What do you do to manage your pain? • Do you believe healthcare professionals genuinely care about your pain? Why or why not? • What do you believe should be done differently to help people who experience pain? • Do you believe older adults get their pain treated adequately? Why or why not? b. Student Reflection • Did any of the interview answers surprise you? Why or why not? • What are some ways you as the nurse can utilize to determine pain in the older adult; including methods for those with dementia or cognitive impairment? • What are some of the potential barriers related to self-reporting of pain in the older adult? • What is the prevalence of pain in the older adult? • How will you, as a nurse be more aware of pain issues related to older adults…what will you incorporate into practice? • What did you take away from this portion of the assignment? Part III. Complete a home assessment related to basic standards for the older adult’s environment. Perform a home assessment of the elderly persons’ home, using the HSSAT as a guide
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PART I

O.F. is a 75-year-old Caucasian female who lives alone in a two-story home in a suburban neighborhood. She has been widowed for 10 years and has no children. She is retired and receives Social Security benefits. She is in good overall health, but she does have some chronic pain in her back and knees. She manages her pain with over-the-counter medications and occasional physical therapy. She is able to live independently and gets around her home without difficulty. She has a car and is able to drive herself to appointments and run errands. She is active in her community and attends church regularly. She has a close group of friends and family who support her.

PART II

Interview Questions

How often do you experience pain?

O.F. says that she experiences pain in her back and knees about 3-4 days a week. The pain is usually mild to moderate, but it can be severe on occasion.

What is the origin of this pain, and how long have you experienced this pain?

O.F. says that she has had back pain since she was in her 40s. She believes that the pain is caused by arthritis. She has had knee pain for about 10 years. She believes that the pain is caused by osteoarthritis.

Does the pain interfere with your everyday activities? Which ones?

O.F. says that the pain does interfere with her everyday activities. She has difficulty walking long distances and sometimes has trouble getting up and down from chairs. She also has difficulty bending over.

Did you report your pain to a healthcare professional, such as a nurse or physician? Why or why not?

O.F. says that she has reported her pain to her doctor. She has tried a variety of treatments, including over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and injections. She is currently taking a medication that helps to manage her pain.

If you received treatment for your pain, what kind, and were you satisfied with the treatment?

O.F. says that she has received a variety of treatments for her pain. She has tried over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and injections. She is currently taking a medication that helps to manage her pain. She is satisfied with the treatment that she is currently receiving.

Do you believe pain is a normal part of aging?

O.F. says that she does not believe that pain is a normal part of aging. She believes that pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including arthritis, injuries, and medical conditions.

What do you do to manage your pain?

O.F. says that she takes medication to manage her pain. She also tries to stay active and to exercise regularly. She also uses heat therapy and massage to help relieve her pain.

Do you believe healthcare professionals genuinely care about your pain? Why or why not?

O.F. says that she believes that healthcare professionals genuinely care about her pain. She says that her doctor has been very understanding and has worked with her to find a treatment that works for her.

What do you believe should be done differently to help people who experience pain?

O.F. says that she believes that healthcare professionals should be more proactive in addressing pain. She says that she often had to advocate for herself to get the treatment that she needed.

Do you believe older adults get their pain treated adequately? Why or why not?

O.F. says that she does not believe that older adults always get their pain treated adequately. She says that older adults are often more likely to be prescribed opioids for pain, which can be addictive. She also says that older adults are often less likely to be offered non-pharmaceutical treatments for pain, such as physical therapy and massage.

Student Reflection

I was not surprised by any of the interview answers. O.F.’s experience with pain is similar to the experience of many older adults. I was glad to hear that she has a good relationship with her doctor and that she is getting the treatment that she needs. I also appreciate her willingness to share her story and to advocate for other older adults who are experiencing pain.

Some ways I as the nurse can utilize to determine pain in the older adult; including methods for those with dementia or cognitive impairment:

Pain assessment tools: There are a variety of pain assessment tools that can be used to assess pain in older adults. Some of these tools are specifically designed for older adults, while others can be used for people of all ages.
Observation: Nurses can also assess pain by observing the older adult’s behavior. Some signs

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