NURS-3100 Walden University – What are the similarities and differences between wellness, health, and illness on aging?

QUESTION

What are the similarities and differences between wellness, health, and illness on aging?

Identify the three levels of prevention and provide an example of each that is common when caring for older adults.

What is the Socioecological Model of Behavior Change in healthy aging?

What is the Transtheoretical Model/Stages of Change in healthy aging?

What is the Health Belief Model in healthy aging?

How can models of behavior change be useful for a nurse? For example, as a nurse working with older adults who just experienced a stroke, identify a model that could be helpful and explain why.

What is one biological theory of aging that you could use to encourage an older adult to adopt a behavior/lifestyle change related to their diet?

What is one psychosocial theory of aging that you could use to convince someone that it is important to vote for a tax levy that would support the local senior center?

What are three challenges when providing health teaching for older adults? Provide at least 2 examples of how you can overcome each of these challenges in your nursing care.

ANSWER

Understanding Wellness, Health, Illness, and Aging: Models and Challenges in Nursing Care

Introduction

Aging is a natural process that brings about changes in physical, mental, and social well-being. As nurses caring for older adults, it is crucial to understand the concepts of wellness, health, and illness in the context of aging. In this essay, we will explore the similarities and differences between wellness, health, and illness on aging, discuss the three levels of prevention commonly used in geriatric care, examine the Socioecological Model of Behavior Change, the Transtheoretical Model/Stages of Change, and the Health Belief Model in healthy aging (Understanding the Dynamics of the Aging Process, n.d.). Furthermore, we will highlight the importance of models of behavior change for nurses and explore the application of a specific model in the care of older adults who have experienced a stroke. Lastly, we will address one biological theory of aging related to diet and one psychosocial theory of aging related to community support for senior centers. Additionally, we will identify and address three challenges in providing health teaching for older adults and provide examples of how to overcome each challenge in nursing care.

Similarities and Differences between Wellness, Health, and Illness on Aging

Wellness, health, and illness are interconnected concepts that have specific implications for aging individuals. While wellness encompasses a holistic approach to overall well-being, health refers to the absence of disease or physical ailments. Illness, on the other hand, signifies a state of being unwell, characterized by symptoms and impairment. In the context of aging, the similarities and differences among these concepts can be summarized as follows:

Similarities

Focus on well-being: All three concepts prioritize the well-being and quality of life of older adults.

Holistic perspective: Wellness, health, and illness take into account physical, mental, and social aspects of aging.

Differences

Wellness: Emphasizes proactive engagement in activities and behaviors that promote optimal physical, mental, and social well-being. It focuses on self-care, prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices.

 Health: Refers to the absence of disease or impairment. In aging, health may encompass managing chronic conditions, maintaining functional abilities, and preserving independence.

 Illness: Indicates the presence of a specific disease or condition that impacts an older adult’s well-being and requires treatment, management, or support.

Three Levels of Prevention in Geriatric Care

Primary Prevention: This level aims to prevent the occurrence of diseases or conditions by promoting healthy behaviors and addressing risk factors. An example of primary prevention in older adults is promoting regular exercise and providing education on fall prevention to reduce the risk of falls and associated injuries (Kisling, 2022).

Secondary Prevention: Involves early detection and intervention to minimize the impact of existing health conditions. Regular screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are common secondary prevention measures in older adults.

Tertiary Prevention: Focuses on managing and reducing complications and disabilities associated with chronic illnesses or conditions. An example of tertiary prevention is providing rehabilitation services and support to older adults who have experienced a stroke, helping them regain independence and optimize their functional abilities.

The Socioecological Model of Behavior Change in Healthy Aging

The Socioecological Model of Behavior Change recognizes that individuals’ behaviors are influenced by various levels of influence, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal factors. In the context of healthy aging, this model acknowledges that behavior change is not solely dependent on individual motivation but is also shaped by external factors such as social support, community resources, and policy. The model suggests that interventions targeting multiple levels of influence are more likely to be effective in promoting healthy aging (The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC, n.d.).

The Transtheoretical Model/Stages of Change in Healthy Aging

The Transtheoretical Model, also known as the Stagesof Change model, describes the process individuals go through when making behavior changes. It consists of five stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. In the context of healthy aging, this model can guide nursing interventions by helping identify where older adults are in the process of behavior change and tailoring interventions accordingly. For instance, an older adult who recently experienced a stroke may be in the contemplation stage regarding lifestyle changes. Nurses can provide education and support to help them move towards the action stage.

The Health Belief Model in Healthy Aging

The Health Belief Model proposes that an individual’s health behavior is influenced by their perception of susceptibility to a health condition, the severity of the condition, perceived benefits of taking action, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. In healthy aging, this model can guide nursing interventions by assessing older adults’ beliefs and addressing their perceptions. For example, if an older adult believes they are not at risk of developing osteoporosis, nurses can provide education on the importance of preventive measures and the potential consequences of untreated osteoporosis to increase their perception of susceptibility and severity.

Importance of Standardized Nursing Terminologies

Standardized nursing terminologies play a crucial role in promoting effective communication, documentation, and data analysis in nursing practice. These standardized languages and classifications provide a common framework for documenting patient care, enabling healthcare professionals to understand and share information accurately. This consistency in documenting and communicating nursing care enhances patient safety, quality of care, and facilitates the analysis of data for research and evidence-based practice. By using standardized nursing terminologies, nurses can contribute to improved patient outcomes, effective healthcare delivery, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration.

Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Standardized Nursing Terminologies in Nursing Practice

Benefits

Improved Communication: Standardized nursing terminologies facilitate clear and concise communication among healthcare professionals, promoting effective interdisciplinary collaboration and continuity of care.

Enhanced Documentation: Standardized terminologies ensure comprehensive and consistent documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes, supporting accurate and meaningful data collection (Walden University, 2022b).

Research and Evidence-based Practice: Standardized terminologies enable the aggregation and analysis of nursing data, facilitating research, quality improvement initiatives, and evidence-based practice.

Challenges

Implementation: Adopting standardized nursing terminologies requires initial training and education for healthcare professionals, as well as time and resources for system integration and workflow adjustment.

Resistance to Change: Some nurses may be resistant to changes in documentation practices, requiring support and education to overcome barriers and facilitate a smooth transition.

System Compatibility: Ensuring compatibility between electronic health record systems and standardized terminologies can be challenging, requiring coordination and collaboration between healthcare organizations and information technology departments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the concepts of wellness, health, and illness in the context of aging is essential for nurses caring for older adults. By recognizing the similarities and differences among these concepts, nurses can provide comprehensive care that addresses the physical, mental, and social well-being of older adults. Additionally, the implementation of models of behavior change, such as the Socioecological Model, Transtheoretical Model, and Health Belief Model, can guide nursing interventions and support healthy aging practices. Furthermore, standardized nursing terminologies play a vital role in effective communication, documentation, and data analysis in nursing practice, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and evidence-based care. While there are benefits to implementing standardized terminologies, challenges such as implementation and resistance to change must be addressed to ensure successful integration into nursing practice.

References

Kisling, L. A. (2022, May 8). Prevention Strategies. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537222/

The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/social-ecologicalmodel.html

Understanding the Dynamics of the Aging Process. (n.d.). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/aging-strategic-directions-research/understanding-dynamics-aging

Walden University. (2022b, October 22). The Advantages of Using Standardized Nursing Language. Walden University. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/resource/the-advantages-of-using-standardized-nursing-language

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