Safety, Communication and Placement for the Older Adult
Safety, Communication and Placement for the Older Adult
Steven F. Jacobson
Western Governors University
Introduction When an elderly person is injured and then discharged from the hospital their needs often extend beyond care one would immediately think of. There are concerns related to their ability to meet all the various requirements for return to previous level of functioning. The patient needs to not only take their medications, make appointments but they may need to change all or some portion of their lives in order to recover and prevent further injury. Involvement of family and other resources is a complicated process that not only involves the patient and their family but numerous other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Scenario
In this scenario, a 72 year old male patient, Mr. Trosack, is discharged from the hospital after surgery to replace a fractured hip. He does not participate in regular health screenings and does not take any prescription medications. His wife died two years ago and he continues to live in the same 2nd story apartment he has lived in for 40 years. He has one son who lives nearby but often works long hours. The patient also owns a bakery and would like to continue to own and operate the bakery upon discharge.
Three Healthcare Issues As the case manager there are many issues with this patient that must be addressed. The top three concerns I have established include: medication regimen, diet, and access to follow up appointments. Each of these concerns are important based on information obtained from patient and family interviews and knowledge about the patient and his past medical history. Medication regimen may be the hardest and most important. Mr. Trosback self admittedly does not take any medication and arrived at the hospital with undiagnosed hypertension. He also does not like the idea of being “disabled” and his impaired mobility along with his need to take medications he did not
Steven F. Jacobson
Western Governors University
Introduction When an elderly person is injured and then discharged from the hospital their needs often extend beyond care one would immediately think of. There are concerns related to their ability to meet all the various requirements for return to previous level of functioning. The patient needs to not only take their medications, make appointments but they may need to change all or some portion of their lives in order to recover and prevent further injury. Involvement of family and other resources is a complicated process that not only involves the patient and their family but numerous other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Scenario
In this scenario, a 72 year old male patient, Mr. Trosack, is discharged from the hospital after surgery to replace a fractured hip. He does not participate in regular health screenings and does not take any prescription medications. His wife died two years ago and he continues to live in the same 2nd story apartment he has lived in for 40 years. He has one son who lives nearby but often works long hours. The patient also owns a bakery and would like to continue to own and operate the bakery upon discharge.
Three Healthcare Issues As the case manager there are many issues with this patient that must be addressed. The top three concerns I have established include: medication regimen, diet, and access to follow up appointments. Each of these concerns are important based on information obtained from patient and family interviews and knowledge about the patient and his past medical history. Medication regimen may be the hardest and most important. Mr. Trosback self admittedly does not take any medication and arrived at the hospital with undiagnosed hypertension. He also does not like the idea of being “disabled” and his impaired mobility along with his need to take medications he did not
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