From this course I have taken away many insights into the older adult. I have learned to look at the older adult not as a “old person”, but someone who has loved, grown to become one of a kind, and likely experienced loss. Yes, the older adults may be slower or start to become forgetful, but that does not take away from who they are as a person or what they have experienced. From this course I will take away how to care for the older adult if they are in my care, as well as how to interact with an older adult who I see in everyday life.
When caring for the older adult, I know that they experience progressive hearing loss and some loss of sights. I can use what I learned from this class to stand on their “good” side, talk slower so they can process what I am saying better, repeat things for them if needed, and even give visual education so they can read what they may not have heard me say. Caring for the older population does not mean you have to treat them different; you just must accommodate changes and adapt. From this course I also understand that incontinence is not a normal part of aging, but it is common, so do not make the patient feel shame. Instead of getting angry that you have to change their bedding, take measures to keep them as dry as possible with briefs if that is something they use at home, or incontinence education to help improve their bladder control. Instead of getting annoyed, I will look at why something is happening to my patient and investigate ways to help.
When it comes to interacting with the older population outside of the hospital, I will not look at someone’s age and assume their capabilities. Every person has different abilities at different ages, and just because they are in their 80’s doesn’t mean they can’t ride a bike or go for runs anymore. I also will avoid compassionate ageism after taking this course. I never looked at going out of my way to hold the door for an older person as ageism, but it makes sense to me now. If I am going into the door myself, I will obviously hold the door, but I am not going to run ahead to get to the door first. Overall, I learned a lot about the aging population in this course and there are so many things I can carry into my nursing practice and everyday life!
