Six Ways Nurses Can Be Better Caregivers For Adults Throughout Their Lifespan

Published on: 22 April 2022 Last Updated on: 30 April 2022

Nurses are often the unsung heroes of the medical community. They are the caregivers who profoundly touch patients’ lives, providing comfort and healing during difficult times.

Nurses extend care to patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. While each group presents unique challenges, there are some general ways nurses can be better caregivers for adults throughout their lifespan.

We can’t defy aging, but we can slow down its effects with a healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are critical for maintaining good health as we age.

Nurses can encourage their patients to make healthy choices and provide resources for making those choices easier.

Gerontology – An Overview:

The scientific study of aging that includes research on the physical, mental, and social changes that occur as we age is called gerontology.

As the population of older adults grows, nurses will play an increasingly important role in providing care for this population.

It is critical to train future nurses and nurse researchers in aging to best satisfy the needs of an aging population while also improving health among older individuals.

For this reason, healthcare facilities encourage R.N.s and BSN nurses to enroll in MSN program online programs and degrees to earn a master’s degree in gerontology. This additional education will allow nurses to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Challenges in Elderly Care:

The challenges of caring for elderly patients are numerous, but so are the rewards. A few challenges include:

Many elderly patients have chronic health conditions that require ongoing management.
Elderly patients are often more susceptible to falls and other accidents.
Cognitive decline is a common part of aging and can present challenges for both patients and caregivers.
Elderly patients don’t like to feel like a burden, so they may be reluctant to ask for help.

Despite these challenges, there are many ways nurses can be better caregivers for elderly patients. Let’s unfold some compelling ways nurses can improve the way elderly patients are cared for:

1. Understanding Their Requirements:

Aging is a phase of life that strips individuals of their physical strength and energy levels. As we age:

Our skin becomes thin and delicate, making it more susceptible to cuts and bruises
Our bones become brittle, and our joints ache more easily.
We may not be able to see or hear as well as we used to.
Our bodies don’t process medications the way they used to.

These changes can be challenging to adjust to, and the caregiver must be understanding and patient with the elderly.

That’s when nurses can enter and take over. With years of experience and unmatchable empathy, nurses are the perfect people to care for elderly patients.

They know how to handle them with care, how much medication to give and when, what food to serve, and how to keep them active without tiring them out.

2. Creating A Routine:

A routine is vital for everyone but especially for the elderly. It helps them know what to expect and gives their day some structure.

A routine can also be helpful for better caregivers, as it can make it easier to keep track of medications, meals, and activities. Nurses can work with patients and their families to create a personalized care plan that includes a daily routine.

Routine care plans should consider the patient’s abilities, interests, and preferences. They should also be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the patient’s condition.

For example, a generally healthy patient may need more help with activities of daily living after a hospital stay. Or a patient who is used to being active may need to scale back their activity level if they become weaker.

Nurses should also be aware of the signs that a routine is no longer working for a patient. If a patient becomes resistant to following the routine or if it starts to cause more stress than it relieves, it may be time to make some changes.

3. Involving Family and Friends:

Our emotions and feelings can be everywhere. When we are old, we need support from better caregivers and loved ones.

However, several sad circumstances testify that not all families are supportive. In some cases, family members may be too busy or live too far away to be involved in their elderly relative’s care.

Family dynamics may make it difficult for everyone to agree on a care plan.

When nurses are involved in the care of an elderly patient, they can help to facilitate communication between the patient and their family.

They can also provide support and resources to families struggling to cope with a loved one’s declining health.

4. Making Them Comfortable:

Many elderly patients in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are there because they can no longer live independently.

They may be unable to walk, dress, or take care of their personal needs. It is imperative that these patients feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings.

Nurses can help create a comfortable environment for their patients by paying attention to the little things.

Ensuring the room is cozy, providing soft bedding and pillows, and offering gentle massages can all help make an elderly patient feel comfortable.

Nurses can also help reduce anxiety and boredom by providing their patients with stimulating activities and exciting conversations.

In some cases, sitting with a patient and listening to their stories can be a great comfort.

5. Advocating for Their Needs:

As people age, they become more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Unfortunately, elder abuse is a problem that is often hidden from the public eye.

Elder abuse affects many Americans, with one in ten aged 60 and above have experienced it.

Some studies have suggested that more than 4 million adults are abused each year in the United States. According to one research, only one in 24 instances of abuse are reported to authorities.

What’s worse is that in 60% of the cases, it’s a family member that is the abuser.

Nurses can help protect their elderly patients by being aware of the signs of abuse and neglect. They can also advocate for their patient’s needs, working to ensure that they receive the best possible care.

6. The Scope:

We live longer today, but we are becoming increasingly prone to chronic diseases and disabilities as we age. According to current projections, approximately 80% of people aged 65 and older have at least one chronic illness.

Chronic illnesses often involve physical and emotional pain, functional limitations, and the requirement for long-term self-management of symptoms.

These conditions impact the quality of life of older adults and are also associated with considerable economic costs. It is because 75% of health care costs in the U.S. are due to chronic illness.

In a period of tightening budgets, we will be required to give excellent care to an ever-growing number of older people with several health issues and complicated healthcare demands.

Therefore, a career in geriatric nursing is not only personally rewarding but also essential to meeting the needs of our aging population.

And, if you’re wondering, there is a lot of scope for professional advancement in this field.

Ending Note:

Nurses play a vital role in the care of elderly patients. They often see their patients the most and are uniquely positioned to advocate for their needs.

If you’re considering a career in nursing, consider specializing in geriatric care. It is a rewarding field with a lot of scope for professional advancement.

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Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits

Spirulina is one of the oldest life forms on earth known for the longest as an endurance booster. It is in fact among the most popular health supplements in today’s time considering it is one of the first plant-based foods in the human diet. Surprising right? But what actually makes this ingredient a star among the ‘complete protein’ plant-based food sources? And does it even stand up to the fame it receives? Well, here’s our effort to give you evidence around spirulina’s health benefits and the status it holds. Spirulina: The Nutrient-Dense Food Spirulina happens to be a superfood high in many nutrients. Let’s have a look at its origin? A type of cyanobacteria, originally from the family of single-celled microbes known as the blue-green algae. This is an organism that grows both in fresh and saltwater What makes it plant-based is its ability to produce energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. Lesser-Known Fact: Spirulina gained massive popularity when NASA used it as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. Really cool right? It has to be its ability to regulate immune functions and its anti-inflammatory properties which take place by the release of histamine by mast cells. What about the ideal dosage? One can opt for a standard dose of 1-3g of this green superfood but this can go up to 10g per day. Here’s a look at the nutrient profile of 10g of dried spirulina powder: Protein: 5.7 g Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 22% of the RDA Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 33% of the RDA Vitamin B3 (niacin): 9% of the RDA Copper: 68% of the RDA Iron: 15-16% of the RDA Calories: 29 Carbs: 2.0g Moreover, this superfood actually includes almost some amount of every other nutrient that you need along with an optimal amount of magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Here’s a suggestion! If you are looking to skip eggs, spirulina could be a great replacement for a comparable amount of protein considering it also has all essential amino acids required by the body. Spirulina: The Powerful Antioxidant With Anti-Inflammatory Properties As we mentioned earlier, it is because of the anti-inflammatory properties that even NASA considered it as a superfood for astronauts. Here’s what you need to know! Chronic inflammation happens as oxidative damage harms our DNA and cells, resulting in diseases sometimes as lethal as cancer. The presence of antioxidants in spirulina help protect against this oxidative damage. Interesting fact: The antioxidant substance ‘phycocyanin’ happens to be the main component and gives spirulina the unique blue-green color. Health Impact Of Spirulina: A lot of people are using this superfood that can improve heart health further reducing risks of heart diseases. For those of you who aren’t aware of its powerful health benefits, studies on spirulina have shown that it lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels. It also increases “good” HDL cholesterol impacting heart health in a positive way. Let us provide scientific evidence to build your trust- Although most studies have shown favorable results mainly with a dosage of 4.5-8g per day yet, A study was conducted on 25 people who were suffering from type 2 diabetes. It was later discovered that only 2g of spirulina per day, significantly showed a reduction in the blood sugar levels. There was another study on people with high cholesterol which determined that 1 g of spirulina per day resulted in lowered triglycerides by 16.3%. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the “bad” LDL by 10.1%. In addition, research has shown that spirulina may have anti-cancer properties and is especially effective against a type of precancerous lesion of the mouth called OSMF. Spirulina May Improve Muscle Strength & Endurance: Often experience muscle fatigue when exercising? The reason is exercise-induced oxidative damage. People into fitness and athletics consume plant-based foods with antioxidants to minimize this damage. Few studies emerged showing spirulina as food for significantly reducing the fatigue time and improving muscle strength and endurance. Can Spirulina Reduce Blood Pressure? Heart attack, strokes, and chronic kidney disease are some of the serious diseases driven by high blood pressure. An optimal amount of spirulina for e.g. 4.5g-8g per day has shown to reduce blood pressure in individuals with normal levels. What might be the possible reason behind this reduction in blood pressure? Spirulina leads to an increase in the production of nitric oxide (that is otherwise massively produced by plant-based sources like beetroot which are rich in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide) leading to a lowered blood pressure. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that aids blood vessels to relax and dilate, positively affecting blood levels. The Final Verdict: Spirulina’s title as a superfood that is ‘nutrient-dense stands true along with the crazy health benefits it has to offer. As mentioned above, spirulina suppresses oxidation while reducing blood pressure and lowering blood sugar. It also improves blood lipids and may have anti-cancer properties. One can simply consume spirulina in tablets and powder form. There are supplements widely available and used for their amazing health benefits. If you want the goodness of spirulina along with other green vitamins then you can check out bGreen's super greens and fruits that help you bridge the daily gap in your nutrition. Read Also: Living With Diabetes – What are the Possible Complications? Why is a random blood sugar test prescribed? Top Health Benefits Of Drinking Beer According To Experts Are CBD Lotions Good For Your Skin?

If you’ve reached a weight loss plateau, fix your sleep

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Getting Ripped with Calisthenics

Have you ever experienced hard-hitting or heavy breathing in any of your workouts? Then, you need to try calisthenics. It ‘s a great body exercise strategy when you want to get that full, well-muscled, and a lean physique which is usually a preserve for the Hollywood actors and athletes. Calisthenics is one of the underrated workouts in the world of fitness yet it is such a rewarding one when done rightly. Continue reading and learn some of the calisthenics moves that will give you a fulfilling experience Overhead squats: Ensure your legs are nearly shoulder-width and squat as low as you can while raising your hands above your heads. Then keep you’re your knees and feet facing forward. Lean your torso forward and squat as low as you can, and be careful not to overdo it. Keep the torso upright and let your arms fall forward. Stand straight without any movement of the body or arms, exhale, keep your feet and knees facing forward; repeat that ten times. Inclined pull-ups: With a sturdy horizontal bar, like the one on a smith machine. Set the bar between two to three feet high. Get your shoulders apart, grab the bar and crawl under it so that your chest is below it. Ensure your hips and feet are widths apart. Pull yourself up, tighten your buttocks, and exhale. Try as much as you can to push your chest until it touches the bar. For great results, get the best bodyweight tools to get ripped from an experienced and reputable shop. Ball push-ups: On top of the stability ball, push your shins and the tops on top of the stability ball. Lower your body until your chest almost touches the ground while tightening your buttocks. Don’t, move the body or the ball, repeat up to 12 steps and as you push yourself back up, exhale. This exercise is better performed with other people and do them without rest for more than twenty minutes. Crunches: There are few variations of these that you can apply and get the best out of calisthenics. Keep your knees at 90 degrees as you lie on your back. Get your hands behind your head or by your sides. Make sure there is an alignment of your spine and the head. Then using your abs, lift your torso slowly and then slowly, return to your position. Ball crunches: With a Swiss ball, your range of motion is extended and there you create a degree of instability and that effect helps your abs to work harder. As you lie on the ball, ensure your shoulder blades are held firmly against the ball. Try rising as you keep your abs contracted and then slowly go back to your starting position. Knee Raises: Using a bar to hang on, tilt your pelvis and then engage the abs without relying on your hips. Raise your knees as high as you can as you hang on the bar. Hold the bar for as long as you can. To get the best out of calisthenics, you should try a mix of the many styles, utilizing the many types of equipment there is. That will help in ensuring your muscles get the best of workouts. Find the best workout tools to get ripped here. Read Also: 5 Ways You Can Be Inhibiting Your Fitness 7 Simple Exercises That Can Relieve Back Pain In No Time

Six Ways Nurses Can Be Better Caregivers For Adults Throughout Their Lifespan

Gerontology – An Overview: