I really need help!!! SENIOR NRSG PROJECT

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Hello all,

I'm new to allnurses, and love what I'm reading and viewing.

I posted a cry for help in the geriatric nursing forum, but only got one response, and that was last month.

My problem: I am in a BSN program and have to come up with a senior nursing project. It has to be related to geriatrics(since that is my speciality area option). It needs to be related to any issues that are relevant to senior citizens. Was thinking about doing something related to the Medicare drug act, that's about the only idea that I have. I have talked to the Department on Aging here in the community where I live, but they discussed some things that medicare does not pay for, such as hearing aids or glasses.

Any ideas that any has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any responses that come my way.

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I don't know much about medicare. Does your school have a database of journals you can search on? Look up nursing journals for geriatric articles. You might find some inspiration there.

One big thing with elders is polypharmacy and Increaesed risk of drug toxicity.

Indepence is another, such as just because they're older, does that mean they have to give up the right to make choices about independent living even though it may mean taking greater risks with their health?

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Hmmm...a couple of things come to mind right away. Safety issues--I'm thinking about seniors trying to remain in their own homes as long as they can--they might have to install some safety devices (e.g. grab rails in halls or bathrooms) or adaptive devices (lift chairs, etc), or make arrangements for people to check on them, or get monitoring devices (like fall alarms). Meals on Wheels also comes to mind, as do programs offered through senior citizen centers. Many religious and other community groups also offer programs for elders, not just government agencies.

Something else is support systems or "safety nets"--so many of us have moved away from our families that a lot of our elders are left alone or nearly so. How are they managing? How do they get to doctor's appointments or the grocery store? What do they do with household repairs?

How about the roles of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and residential care? What needs are these meeting (or not)?

Just some thoughts..hope I'm not too far off the track! Hopefully you can maybe springboard off some of this ;)

Good luck with your project!

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Have you thought about elder abuse? Not much talked about, but apparently a very real problem.

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What about Aids in the Aging?? or perhaps elderly abuse....these are 2 topics you don't hear much about but both exist....just a thought...goodluck

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Your project could be the gaps in care and resources and needs the elderly have...you have touched on it already. Seniors often

benefit from someone just collecting info for the available help in their area....you could publish a resource book for them.

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How about the rights of seniors? I have noticed that even at hospitals where we all know that the patient has the right to refuse certain treatments that sometimes the elderly are pushed into it anyway. Why is it that just because a person is older that 65 that people think that they don't know what is best for them no matter how sharp they are?

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How about Seniors who sell away their Medicare benefits to HMO's and when they need skilled nursing care are at the mercy of the managed care systems to approve (or NOT) the length of their stay as well as the medications they can or can't take.

For example,

John Doe hears about the "HMO Senior" plan and signs up. It sounds like a good deal as he gets a MD assigned to him and he can visit for a $15 co-pay.

But one day he slips and breaks a hip.

A rate is negotiated and he is admitted to the skilled unit of the local nursing home for 2 weeks.

PT and OT is going well but on day 6 he develops some LE edema and the therapy is halted until his edema lessons (it didn't help that the HMO doc didn't return calls for 2 days).

He finally gets rolling again but before he is really ready to go home he has to be discharged because the HMO only agreed to pay for the 2 weeks and the decrease in therapy minutes doesn't support the stay.

He goes home with home health PT orders but twice a week just isn't enough for him to fully recover. He is looked after by his family and finally has to be admitted to LTC, which the HMO doesn't pay for.

Just an idea.

-Russell

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I have worked in LTC quite a bit. Why not try depression in the elderly or pain management. Depression is so common and not always identified or treated. They have so many losses a lot of the time. Also have a lot of pain issues that do not get properly addressed. Good topics, both:zzzzz

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Hi everyone,

Want to say thank you to all of you who responded to my cry for help related to my senior nursing project. Those are alot of great ideas.

With people like you, it makes me proud to be a registered nurse and I am forever greatful and thankful for your ideas.

Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year(just in case I don't hear from any of you).

Respectfully,

Military girl, class of 2004(YEAH BABY!!!!!).

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