Guest Author - Julie Reeser, RN
The fastest growing population is the elderly. They have special needs that are unique to their social situations and health issues. The nurse has a responsibility to take those issues seriously by offering her time and compassion. This can be a challenge during busy times, high census, and long shifts.
One of the things that the elderly patient needs most is touch. As they age, people stop touching them. They have less family to hug, less friends to sit near, and are often living alone. This means that holding their hand, giving them a hug, and offering backrubs can mean all the difference to their day. Take time out of your assessment to warm lotion and rub at least one back. This offers the nurse the opportunity to assess skin and posterior lung sounds, as well as ability to turn and assist with care. It also gives the patient the chance to talk to the nurse about anything that might be missed during a quick med pass. The pleasure and relaxation this gives to patients is immeasurably rewarding.
Another thing that is ironically lacking for many of this patient population is the ability to have choice. So much of their day is spent doing what they are told, following the rules, and trying not to make waves. They often rely on others for their day to day needs such as grocery shopping, a ride to the doctor, or someone to help them clean or bathe. This results in a loss of spontaneity, creativity, and joy of living. One of the easiest ways to help the elderly patient is to let them help themselves by offering them choices. Find ways to let them decide when and how they will receive the care they require.
A third thing that is often lacking in the life of an elderly patient is laughter. This is not to say that they don’t laugh, of course they do! What this implies is that they often hurt, are tired, or are lonely. It is vital that a nurse be attuned to the mood of their patients, and recognize that there is a time for being serious and professional, but that sometimes the patient needs to smile and feel lighthearted. This can be as simple as not taking the whole hospital experience too seriously. Many of them know the routine and will enjoy a little laughter about it. I often tell my patients that if they sleep, I don’t get paid. This is a way of poking fun at the horrible atmosphere for sleep in most hospitals.
As just mentioned, many elderly patients live with chronic pain. This can be debilitating and depressing. An elderly patient’s body betrays them. They have spent the last several years accepting the losses of growing old. The aches and pains, the urinating issues, the sleep problems, the loss of balance and flexibility, and the poor eyesight or hearing. None of these are a given, but they are very common. The job of the nurse is to make their patient as comfortable as possible. A patient should not hurt. There are excellent medications, it is the nurses job to advocate for them.
The nurse has a wonderful opportunity to give love and respect to the elderly patient. This can be one of the most rewarding parts of nursing. It just requires a little extra patience and an opening of the heart.
