-A major goal is to help seniors maintain function and independence
•
Visual impairment
impacts social abilities, depression, falls, and communication.
•
Cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma
•
Hearing loss
one of most common conditions affecting older adults.
•
Older adults may be reluctant to utilize hearing aides.
Encourage families to increase
successful communication by reducing background noise and adjust lighting for
optimal vision.
•
Dental problems are
neglected because of inadequate dental care, limited mobility and
transportation, poor nutrition
Incontinence affects quality
of life and is a symptom of underlying problems
•
Falls
•
Interventions to reduce falls include well lit paths to the bathroom, removal of throw
rugs, exercise for strength and balance, and well fitting and secure non-slip shoes,
medication review, and nutrition to support healthy bones (calcium, vit. D)
•
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
•
Driver safety
•
Residential
fire-related injuries
•
Cold and heat stress disorders
•
Elder abuse
•
Often times caregivers/family become overwhelmed caring for individuals increased
needs.
Intervention may be to explain about respite care to provide a break for the
caregiver.
•
Crime
•
Psychosocial disorders
•
Anxiety disorders
•
Depression
•
Substance abuse
•
Suicide
•
Alzheimer’s disease
•
Slowly progressive brain disorder: begins with mild memory loss; progresses through stages to
total incapacitation and eventually death.
•
Diagnosing is difficult; often reached after all other conditions ruled out.
•
Assessment tools include:
•
Mini-Cog
•
Clock drawing
No cure and limited treatment options are available
What are strategies to address the health care provider shortage in rural areas?
Disparities include key indicators of health:
p.
Employment
q.
Income
r.
Education
s.
Health insurance
t.
Mortality
u.
Morbidity
v.
Access to care
d.
Health care provider shortages
a.
Rural shortages likely to become worse
b.
Need to “grow their own”: supporting local students obtaining an education
while continuing to work and live at home.
c.
Telemedicine
i.
Cost-effective alternative to face-to-face care
ii.
Telehealth includes telephones, fax machines, email, and remote
monitoring
iii.
Telemedicine permits two-way, real-time, interactive communication
between patient and provider
