Chronic Conditions Are Associated With Aging

Although the largest profession in the health care industry is nursing, a larger number of people are getting older and living longer. This means that more people will need nursing care, whether it’s in a hospital, a long-term care facility or at home. It is projected that long-term care facilities will need 66% more RNs by 2020 (Addressing the Nursing). The increase in life expectancy has amplified the complexity of health care because more people are living with chronic conditions. The American Nurses Association reported that “a large cross-sectional study of over 1,000,000 adults revealed that 82% had one or more chronic conditions” and we are seeing an increase of those age 65 and older living with multiple chronic conditions (Mion). Now, more than ever, there is a high demand for the best delivery of medical care.

It is incredible the change that can come with proper education on management for chronic illnesses. As an emergency nurse, we see patients who come to us when those steps have failed. It is frustrating to see patients deteriorate when a healthy, full life is possible if appropriate steps are taken earlier. Education has provided me this privilege to serve and educate my community as a nurse over the last two years. I am certain advancing my education will allow me the opportunity to assist in the continuing positive changes for the people of my

This assignment will discuss the nurse's role in devising of a care plan for a patient, including the rationale upon which this care plan has been based, evaluating that the goals intended are met or amended. The patient's identity will be protected using a pseudonym of Kora in keeping with the standards of maintaining confidentiality set by Nursing and Midwifery (NMC, 2015). The patient has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which is a long-term health condition which is slowly progressive, cause’s obstruction to airway that cannot be reversed, alterations in breathing with exacerbation often suggesting worsening of the disease (Currie, 2007). Kora is 63 years has three young grandchildren permanently in her care, Kora being in

D.Z.is a 65-year-old man admitted to medical ward with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema). Past medical history (PMH) indicates hypertension (HTN), well managed with enalapril (Vasotec) past six years, diagnosis (Dx) of pneumonia yearly for the past three years. D.Z. appears cachectic with difficulty breathing at rest. Patient reports productive cough with thick yellow-green sputum. He seems anxious and irritable during subjective data collection. He states, he has been a 2-pack-a-day smoker for 38 years. He complains of (c/o) insomnia and

A female patient 83 years of age has been diagnosed with Emphysema and has had this disease for 10 years. She has been in good shape her whole life and has been big into health and fitness. However, the critical etiological risk factor was that she participated in tobacco smoking for a brief period of her 20’s. She was informed of the disease by visiting a general practioner and therefore getting referred to a respiratory specialist. The laboratory tests used to establish her diagnosis included a lung function test, X ray and sleep apnoea test in hospital overnight. Her most common symptoms include shortness of

Emphysema is the most common cause of death from respiratory disease in the United States and is generally caused by several years of heavy cigarette smoking (Olendorf, 2000). When a person smokes, the body’s immune system tries to fight off the invading smoke by using certain substances. These substances can also attack the cells of the lungs, but normally the body is able to release other substances to prevent this. In the case of people who are smokers, this doesn’t happen and the original substances that were released to fight off the smoke also end up injuring the cells of the lungs as well. Eventually, the lungs will not be able to supply enough oxygen to the blood and a host of problems can occur with this. Risk factors that have been identified for emphysema include exposure to tobacco smoke either through active or passive smoking (2nd hand smoke), occupational exposure such as dust or chemicals, ambient air pollution, or genetic abnormalities, including a deficiency of alpha-antitrypsin, an enzyme inhibitor that normally counteracts the destruction of lung tissue by certain other enzymes (Smeltzer, 2010). The symptoms of emphysema develop gradually over many years. It is generally characterized by three primary symptoms: chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea on exertion. Other signs and symptoms include weight loss and the development of a

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has conducted a series of studies that involved several groups of individuals who suffered from chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and pain, as well as behavioral issues. These studies have also included transitional care; especially post-surgical care for the elderly. A report titled “Changing Practice, Changing Lives” that was published by the NINR and the National Institute of Health (NIH) includes a list of ten landmark nursing studies (Web. ninr.nih.gov, 2016). These studies were primarily focused on educating the population on how to cope with different health issues, and especially how to manage

The information collected in the history was highly suggestive of COPD. One of the best predictors of airflow obstruction was the patient’s smoking history (Qaseem, et al., 2011, pp. 181). According to Qaseem, et al. (2011), the presence of the patient’s smoking history and wheezing on physical examination is indicative of airflow obstruction (pp. 181). Additionally, the patient’s presenting complaint was dyspnea on exertion, which is one of the most commonly presenting complaints in patients with COPD (Boardman, 2013, pp. 446). The chronic nature of the patient’s cough and slow progression of symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of COPD rather than asthma. Finally, the diminished breath sounds on auscultation is indicative of airflow obstruction and considered to be a reliable finding in the diagnosis of COPD (Boardman, 2013, pp. 447). In addition to the new diagnosis of COPD, the patient also had current diagnoses of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthritis.

Emphysema is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is a chronic, progressive disease that affects the morbidity and mortality of life. Like many chronic diseases, diagnosis is affected by numerous variables. There is no cure; however, there are effective treatment methods which can slow the progression of the disease and allow for a normal life. In short, the diagnosis of emphysema is not a death sentence. Rather, it is an illness that should prompt a person diagnosed with it to take the lead in the management of the disease. The primary risk factor for this disease that can be controlled is the smoking of cigarettes. Smoking cessation is the most beneficial first step to preventing or stopping the development or progression

This paper will discuss the relationship between the aging process and key diseases associated with aging. Examples of aging-associated diseases include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases (López-Otín, Blasco, Partridge, Serrano, & Kroemer, 2013, p. 1194). Of these, we will discuss in-depth recent studies that have linked aging with Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These diseases affect a significant proportion of the population over the age of 65 and place a considerable burden on the American health care system. Therefore, a better understanding of how they are related to aging and each other can result in the adoption of innovative treatments and declined risk for older adults.

Despite technological and medical advances today, chronic disease and resultant co-morbidities are prevalent in the Australian Healthcare System. As a result, patients, especially in the acute care setting, have more complex care needs. The management and care of patients with these complex care needs present a challenge for the contemporary nursing professional. Positive patient outcomes will be dependent on a number of factors, such as the assessment of the patient’s condition, the identification of potential risks for the patient, the planning of appropriate care and the management of the subsequent interventions that may be required.

Often in practice, we as nurses deal with a variety of diseases and treatments and often have to react to the illness that the patient presents with upon our interaction. While this is an essential piece of our practice, we also have a duty to our patients to be proactive in preventing specific health-related consequences based on their risk factors and to promote their health and well being. Health promotion as it relates to nursing is about us empowering our patients to increase their control over their lives and well beings and includes: focusing on their health not just illness, empowering our patients, recognizing that health involves many dimensions and is also effected by factors outside of their control (Whitehead et al. 2008)..

Chronic disease and conditions are usually defined as those diseases which last for more than six months and which have a severe effect on the life of the individuals (Chronic Conditions and Injury, para.1). While chronic diseases can affect people of all ages and demographics, these types of diseases are very often found in the elderly. Chronic disease are also characterized by "…multiple risk factors, long latency periods, a prolonged course of illness and functional impairment or disability" (Key indicators of progress for chronic disease and associated determinants, 2011, p. 1). Chronic disease is also found to be more prevalent in the ageing demographic of most countries.

Also spelled as ageing, this is generally the process of becoming old. It is the in a way the opposite of immortality. In a broader aspect, it may occur to single cells in an organism also called cellular senescence or the population of a species, known as population ageing. This process primarily affects human beings and fungi. In humans, it signifies the accumulation of various changes which occur over time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes.

Understanding the potential health challenges a patient may face is something that is required for holistic care. The comorbidity of the patient’s