Gerontologic nursing

Chapter 6: Family Influences

Role and Function of Families

Families play a significant role in the lives of most older persons

When family is not involved it generally is because the older person has no living relatives nearby or there have been long standing relationship problems

Families

Several demographics and social trends have affected families abilities to provide support

Increasing aging population

Living arrangements

Disability and activity (limitations in ADLs and IADLs)

Decrease in birth rate

Increase in employment of women

Mobility of families (live in different city or state)

Increase in blended families

Older adults providing as well as receiving support

The state of the senior housing industry

Caregiver workplace issues (missing work)

Late Life Family Issues

Some of the most common issues and difficult decisions families face include:

Changes in living arrangements

Nursing facility placement

Financial and legal concerns

End of life health care decisions

See Table 6.2 on page 95: Common End of Life Documents

Vehicle driving issues

Table 6.3 on page 96: Online Resources for Older Adults who Drive

Family caregiving

See Table 6.1 on page 94: Internet Resources

Changes in Living Arrangements

Older family member begins to have problems living alone

Family members are often emotionally torn between allowing a person to be as independent as possible and creating a more secure environment

It can be particularly frustrating when a family knows an older relative has difficulty functioning independently yet refuses to accept help in the home

See Box 6 – 2 and 6 – 3 on pages 93 and 94

Should I move my parents into my home

Questions to consider when moving from independent living to a supervised living facility

Nursing Facility Placement

Many older people need help with things such as:

Housekeeping

Meals laundry

Transportation

Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)

Restaurants

Pools

Fitness centers

Spas

Assisted living

Financial and Legal Concerns

Paying for long term care

Helping an older person who has problems managing money

Many families do not discuss finances before a crisis and then it is often too late

Hesitate to discuss financial concerns for fear of appearing overly interested in inheritance

End of Life Care Decisions

The main interests of patients nearing the end of life are pain and symptom control, financial and health decision planning, funeral arrangements, being at peace with God, maintaining dignity and cleanliness and saying goodbye

Tools

Five wishes

Issues of Driving

How does age affect driving

Joints may get stiff

Muscle weaken

Difficult to turn head

Safely hit the brake

Need more light to see things

Glare from oncoming head lights

Peripheral vision narrows

Eye disease (cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma)

Reflexes get slower

Attention span shortens

Issues of Driving

Older drivers are more likely to get into multiple vehicle accidents

Most likely to get traffic citations for (indication of decreased driving ability):

Failing to yield

Turning improperly

Running red lights

Running stop signs

Issues of driving

Factors that contribute to increased risk:

Loss of hearing acuity

Loss of visual acuity

Limited mobility and increased reaction time

Medications

Dementia or mental impairment

Driving symbolizes autonomy, control, competence, self-reliance, freedom, and belonging to the mainstream of society, so older persons alter their driving when their abilities decline

Drive during the day

Limit geographic area

Issues of Driving

Health problems:

Arthritis

Parkinson’s disease

Diabetes

Depression (easily distracted)

Sleep disturbances

Heart disease (pacemaker)

Medications

Sleep aids

Anti-depressants

Antihistamines

Pain killers

Issues of Driving

Is it time to give up driving:

Do others often honk at you

Have you had some accidents

Do you get lost

Am I driving less because I am not sure about my driving

Family Caregiving

Provided by adult children of the older person

Types and levels of family caregiving

Routine care: regular assistance / daily routine

Back up care: provided at request of caregiver

Circumscribed care: boundaries (hair appt., nails)

Sporadic care: irregular participation

Dissociation: potential caregiver does not participate al all in care

Challenges & Opportunities of Caregiving

Few families are prepared to cope with the physical, financial and emotional cost of caregiving

Caregivers may become frustrated and exhausted because of unrealistic expectations or lack of knowledge and time

Chronic stress is another challenge to family caregivers – the families normal routine may be disrupted

Many adult caregivers express frustration regarding the inequality of the contributions by their siblings

Caregiver Stress

See Figure 6.1 on page 105:

Modified Caregiver Strain Index

Just as an older adult’s situation can change and require reassessment, so can family’s situation and a caregivers ability to provide care

Change in older adult’s condition

Change in family structure (marriage, divorce, birth, death)

Change in employment status of the caregiver

Interventions to Support Family Caregivers

Education

Understanding the family member’s medical condition

Improving coping skills / stress management

Dealing with family issues

Communicating effectively with older persons

Using community services

Long term planning / legal and financial plans

Respite Programs

Designed specifically to benefit the caregiver

Allows caregivers planned time away from their caregiving role

Premises to respite care

Shared responsibility for caregivers

Caregivers support

Respite Programs

Often underused

Lack of awareness

Apprehension (leaving loved one with a stranger)

Caregiver attitudes

Timing / a last resort (seek help too late)

Finances

Care receiver resistance

Energy required to use program

Program inflexibility and bureaucracy

Support groups

Some support groups are oriented to specific diseases

Cancer

Parkinson’s disease

Lung diseases

Alzheimer’s disease

Support group may be a place where caregivers get:

Advice

Gain knowledge about medical condition

Share experiences and feelings

Develop new coping strategies

Learn about community resources

Decision Making

Families find it helpful to have a model to follow as they make decisions or solve problems

Gathering information

Clearly identify issue

Formulating options

See all possible options

Evaluating options

Assess the advantages and limitations of each option

Creating a plan

Implementing the plan

Put plan into action

Reassessing

Assess the outcome / how well plan is working

Decision Making

Involving the older person in decision making

Validating feelings

Families experience many emotions when faced with difficult decisions and caregiving

May include: grief, frustration, anger, resentment, embarrassment or guilt

Because feelings, beliefs and attitudes influence behavior, it is important to address the belief systems and feelings of family members

NR449_RUA_Analyzing_Published_Research_Guidelines_Sept20_v2 1

Purpose

NR449 Evidence-Based Practice

RUA: Analyzing Published Research Guidelines

The purpose of this paper is to interpret the two articles identified as most important to the group topic.

Course outcomes: This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.

CO 2: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs 4 and 8) CO 4: Evaluate published nursing research for credibility and clinical significance related to evidence-based practice.

(POs 4 and 8)

Due date: Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.

Total points possible: 200 points

Preparing the assignment 1. Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions. 2. Please make sure you do not duplicate articles within your group. 3. The paper will include the following:

a. Clinical Question (30 points/15%) 1. Describe the problem: What is the focus of your group’s work? 2. Significance of problem: What health outcomes result from your problem? Or what statistics document this

is a problem? You may find support on websites for government or professional organizations. 3. Purpose of the paper: What will your paper do or describe? ***Please note that although most of these questions are the same as you addressed in paper 1, the purpose of this paper is different. You can use your paper 1 for items 1 & 2 above, including any faculty suggestions for improvement provided as feedback.

b. Evidence Matrix Table: Data Summary (Appendix A) - (60 points/30%) Categorize items in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article. 1. References (recent publication within the last 5 years) 2. Purpose/Hypothesis/Study Question(s) 3. Variables: Independent (I) and Dependent (D) 4. Study Design 5. Sample Size and Selection

6. Data Collection Methods 7. Major Findings (Evidence)

c. Description of Findings (60 points/30%) Describe the data in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article. 1. Compare and contrast variables within each study. 2. What are the study design and procedures used in each study; qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method

study, levels of confidence in each study, etc.? 3. Participant demographics and information. 4. Instruments used, including reliability and validity. 5. How do the research findings provide evidence to support your clinical problem, or what further evidence

is needed to answer your question? 6. Next steps: Identify two questions that can help guide the group’s work.

d. Conclusion (20 points/10%) Review major findings in a summary paragraph. 1. Evidence to address your clinical problem. 2. Make a connection back to all the included sections.

NR449_RUA_Analyzing_Published_Research_Guidelines_Sept20_v2 2

NR449 Evidence-Based Practice

RUA: Analyzing Published Research Guidelines

3. Wrap up the assignment and give the reader something to think about.

e. Format (30 points/15%) 1. Correct grammar and spelling 2. Include a title and reference page 3. Use of headings for each section:

o Problem o Synthesis of the Literature

− Variables

− Methods

− Participants

− Instruments

− Implications for Future Work 4. Conclusion 5. Adheres to current APA formatting and guidelines 6. Include at least two (2) scholarly, current (within 5 years) primary sources other than the textbook 7. 3-4 pages in length, excluding appendices, title and reference pages

For writing assistance (APA, formatting, or grammar) visit the APA Citation and Writing page in the online library.

Please note that your instructor may provide you with additional assessments in any form to determine that you fully understand the concepts learned.

2

NR449 Evidence-Based Practice

RUA: Analyzing Published Research Guidelines

NR449_RUA_Analyzing_Published_Research_Guidelines_Sept20_v2 3

Grading Rubric Criteria are met when the student’s application of knowledge demonstrates achievement of the outcomes for this assignment.

Assignment Section and Required Criteria

(Points possible/% of total points available)

Highest Level of Performance

High Level of Performance

Satisfactory Level of

Performance

Unsatisfactory Level of

Performance

Section not present in

paper

Clinical Question (30 points/15%)

30 points 26 points 24 points 11 points 0 points

Required criteria 1. Describe the problem: What is the focus of your group’s work? 2. Significance of problem: What health outcomes result from your

problem? Or what statistics document this is a problem? You may find support on websites for government or professional organizations.

3. Purpose of the paper: What will your paper do or describe?

Includes 3 requirements for section.

Includes 2 requirements for section.

Includes 1 requirement for section.

Present, yet includes no required criteria.

No requirements for this section presented.

Evidence Matrix Table: Data Summary (Appendix A)

(60 points/30%) 60 points 56 points 47 points 25 points 0 points

Required criteria Categorize items in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article. 1. References (recent publication within the last 5 years) 2. Purpose/Hypothesis/Study Question(s) 3. Variables: Independent (I) and Dependent (D) 4. Study Design 5. Sample Size and Selection

6. Data Collection Methods 7. Major Findings (Evidence)

Includes 7 requirements for section.

Includes 6 requirements for section.

Includes 5 requirements for section.

Includes 4 or less requirements for section.

No requirements for this section presented.

Description of Findings

(60 points/30%) 60 points 53 points 47 points 23 points 0 points

Required criteria Describe the data in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article. 1. Compare and contrast variables within each study. 2. What are the study design and procedures used in each study;

qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method study, levels of confidence in each study, etc.?

3. Participant demographics and information.

Includes 6 requirements for section.

Includes 5 requirements for section.

Includes 4 requirements for section.

Includes 3 or less requirements for section.

No requirements for this section presented.

NR449 Evidence-Based Practice

RUA: Analyzing Published Research Guidelines

NR449_RUA_Analyzing_Published_Research_Guidelines_Sept20_v2 4

Assignment Section and Required Criteria

(Points possible/% of total points available)

Highest Level of Performance

High Level of Performance

Satisfactory Level of

Performance

Unsatisfactory Level of

Performance

Section not present in

paper

4. Instruments used, including reliability and validity. 5. How do the research findings provide evidence to support your

clinical problem, or what further evidence is needed to answer your question?

6. Next steps: Identify two questions that can help guide the group’s

work.

Conclusion (20 points/10%)

20 points 18 points 15 points 8 points 0 points

Required criteria Review major findings in a summary paragraph. 1. Evidence to address your clinical problem. 2. Make a connection back to all the included sections. 3. Wrap up the assignment and give the reader something to think

about.

Includes 3 requirements for section.

Includes 2 requirements for section.

Includes 1 requirement for section.

Present, yet includes no required criteria.

No requirements for this section presented.

Format (30 points/15%)

30 points 26 points 23 points 11 points 0 points

Required criteria 1. Correct grammar and spelling 2. Include a title and reference page 3. Use of headings for each section:

o Problem o Synthesis of the Literature

▪ Variables ▪ Methods ▪ Participants ▪ Instruments ▪ Implications for Future Work

4. Conclusion 5. Adheres to current APA formatting and guidelines 6. Includes at least two (2) scholarly, current (within 5 years) primary

sources other than the textbook 7. 3-4 pages in length excluding appendices, title and reference pages

Includes 7 requirements for section.

Includes 6 requirements for section.

Includes 5 requirements for section.

Includes 4 or less requirements for section.

No requirements for this section presented.

Total Points Possible = 200 points

NR449 Evidence-Based Practice

RUA: Analyzing Published Research Guidelines

NR449_RUA_Analyzing_Published_Research_Guidelines_Sept20_v2 5

Appendix A

EVIDENCE MATRIX TABLE

Article

References

Purpose Hypothesis

Study Question(s)

Variables Independent(I) Dependent(D)

Study Design Sample Size &

Selection

Data Collection Methods

Major Finding(s)

1 Smith, L. (2013). What How do educational support D-Dietary Quantitative N- 18 Focus Groups Support and education (SAMPLE should I eat? A focus for groups effect dietary modifications modifications Convenience improved compliance with ARTICLE) those living with diabetes. in patients with diabetes? I-Education sample-selected dietary modifications.

Journal of Nursing from local support Education, 1(4), 111-112. group in Pittsburgh, PA

1

2

3

4

5

Gerontology Class Discussion

Scenario #1: Family An 83, year old woman is recovering from pneumonia. She has Alzheimer’s disease and has become increasingly hostile and unmanageable in the home setting. Her 65, year old daughter is distraught about the idea of placing her mother in a long term care facility but feels she is not able to care for her.

Question:

• The original post must be at least 200 – 300 words in length • What is your role in this situation? • How might you help the daughter with her decision? • What information would you give the daughter?

Scenario #2: Family A 78, year old man is a retired banker whose wife died several years ago. He is able to perform all ADLs but needs help with meal preparation and transportation. He lives in a deteriorating neighborhood and no longer feels safe. He does not want to live with family members or completely give up his independence.

Question : • The original post must be at least 200 – 300 words in length • What housing options would be appropriate for him? Why? • What advantages would such housing options offer over living alone?

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