NR601 Discussion Essay

NR601 Discussion Essay

NR601 Discussion Essay

Week 4 Discussion NR 601

The care of elderly persons undergoing alterations in functional health is a significant obligation in family nursing practice. This role is vital for guaranteeing the safety of these clients in their current living surroundings and assessing whether more help or transitions to different care settings are necessary. Family nurse practitioners utilize their acquired knowledge to evaluate and attend to these requirements, collaborating closely with clients and their families. This paper examines two evaluations used to assess client safety, specifically focusing on the indicators for care transitions. It also explores the role of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in this process, appropriate referrals, and the resources available for clients with low financial resources.

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Assessments to Determine Client Safety in Their Current Living Environment
A comprehensive home safety assessment is an essential tool for family nurse practitioners. This assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation of potential hazards in the client’s living environment, such as tripping risks, appropriateness of lighting, safety in the restroom, and accessibility (Davis & Davis, 2023). Additionally, the examination can evaluate the client’s capacity to carry out Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The ADL assessment centers around evaluating the client’s autonomy in fundamental daily tasks, including washing, dressing, eating, and moving (Pashmdarfard & Azad, 2020). A deterioration in the client’s capacity to carry out ADLs can indicate possible hazards in their present living conditions and may require supplementary support or a modification in their care setting.
Results Indicating the Need for Additional Assistance or Care Environment Transition
A home safety evaluation can identify potential concerns to a client’s independence and safety, such as loose carpets, uneven floors, or insufficient railings. A decrease in the client’s capacity to carry out ADLs or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), such as taking care of their prescriptions, cooking, or moving around, may indicate that they require more help or should move into a more supportive care environment. Aspects like social isolation or cognitive impairment may also require to be taken into account because they have a big influence on an older adult’s quality of life.
The NP’s Role in Care Transitions
Family nurse practitioners have a crucial role in assisting clients experiencing functional health changes in transitioning their care. To achieve a smooth and efficient process, it is imperative for them to cooperate closely with the client and their family (Karam et al., 2021). This entails evaluating the requirements of the client, providing information to the client and their family regarding the various care transition choices, and formulating a customized care strategy. The NP is accountable for orchestrating services and facilitating the client’s connection with suitable healthcare providers, such as geriatric specialists or social workers, who can provide assistance during the transition. The NP’s duty includes advocating for the client’s best interests and ensuring they receive the required services and assistance during the transition.
Appropriate Referrals and Coordination of Care
Family nurse practitioners are able to provide a coordinated care process by making appropriate referrals when a client needs a change in their care setting. The transition process can be improved by referring the client to a Geriatric Care Manager, a specialist with experience helping older persons and their families navigate complex care decisions (Moroch, 2022). Alternatively, recommending customers to a respectable home health agency can help them receive essential services, such as personal care, skilled nursing, and physical therapy, if they can still live at home with support. The NP should keep lines of communication open with the client’s primary care physician, specialists, and other relevant healthcare providers to ensure care coordination during transitions. Regular follow-up visits and meetings with the client and their family are also pertinent to monitor progress and address any new issues.
Public or Private Resources for Clients with Limited Resources
Medicaid and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are two priceless resources in the targeted practice area for clients with limited resources. Medicaid is a federal program that helps people with low incomes get healthcare coverage. It can also help with the costs of long-term care, which includes home healthcare services and nursing homes (Rudowitz et al., 2023). For older persons and their families, AAA provides a comprehensive range of services and support, such as information on available resources, caregiver aid, and assistance locating reasonably priced care options (Administration for Community Living, 2023). These tools are essential for ensuring that elderly people with low incomes get the support and care they require for their evolving functional health needs.

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References
Administration for Community Living. (2023, January 4). Area Agencies on Aging | ACL Administration for Community Living. Acl.gov. https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/area-agencies-aging
Davis, K. L., & Davis, D. D. (2023, July 17). Home Safety Techniques. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560539/
Karam, M., Chouinard, M. C., Poitras, M. E., Couturier, Y., Vedel, I., Grgurevic, N., & Hudon, C. (2021). Nursing Care Coordination for Patients with Complex Needs in Primary Healthcare: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Integrated Care, 21(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.5518
Moroch, B. (2022, October 28). How Geriatric Care Managers Can Help Family Caregivers. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2020/geriatric-care-manager.html
Pashmdarfard, M., & Azad, A. (2020). Assessment tools to evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) in older adults: A systematic review. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 34(33). https://doi.org/10.34171/mjiri.34.33
Rudowitz, R., Burns, A., Hinton, E., & Mohamed, M. (2023, June 30). 10 Things to Know About Medicaid. KFF. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicaid/#:~:text=Medicaid%20is%20the%20nation

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NR601 Discussion

Virginia /// Clinical practice

Family nurse practitioners often care for older adults as they experience changes in functional health. Assessments may reveal that clients are unsafe in their current environment or that they may require additional assistance to remain at home. Carefully read the questions below and address each in your initial post.

Application of Course Knowledge

Identify at least TWO assessments that can be used to determine whether a client is safe in their current living environment.

Discuss results that indicate the client may require additional assistance or a transition in the care environment.

Describe the NP’s role in working with the client and family to assist with care transitions.

Identify at least TWO appropriate referrals for a client who requires a transition in the care environment. How does the NP ensure coordination of care during transitions?

Identify at least TWO public or private resources that are available for clients with limited resources in your intended practice area.

 

Cite 3 scholarly sources of <5yrs. in the initial post.