Approach to Care
When developing an approach to care for Mr. P, it is vital to pay attention to his major health issues and the fact that he belongs to the elderly population. The patient’s age is worth considering because it affects his decision-making, background, abilities to follow particular recommendations and perception of desired outcomes. Even the financial condition of the family is worth considering because it reveals the client’s ability to afford particular treatment options, especially if they are not covered by insurance. In this very situation, it seems to be advantageous to combine different treatments, including nutritional and medication therapies. Home-based care should be provided because Mr. P’s wife faces difficulties as she tries to cope with the situation alone. Weekly visits should include patient assessment and review of medication.
Treatment Plan
A treatment plan developed for Mr. P will include lifestyle changes, medications, and ongoing care. First of all, a restricted diet will be developed to ensure that client’s nutrition is appropriate for his condition. Limited physical exercises will be recommended, as they are likely to enhance the patient’s well-being. Psychological assistance will be recommended as well because Mr. P reveals symptoms of depression, as he reveals his desire to be dead instead of living the way he does now. This type of care can be provided during home visits (by an appropriate professional) in order to minimalize associated stress and patient resistance to change. Of course, medication is also critical for the improvement of Mr. P’s condition. It will be advantageous to prescribe Candesartan (Atacand), Bisoprolol (Zebeta), Spironolactone (Aldactone), or Furosemide (Lasix), as these drugs are commonly used to treat heart failure (“Medications used to treat heart failure,” 2017). Ongoing care will be provided in the framework of home visits, as a nurse or a physician will assess Mr. P’s condition, identifying all critical changes associated with weight, breathing, swelling, sleeping, cough, appetite, and mood.
Patient and Family Education
In order to choose a method for family and patient education, it is vital to assess their learning needs and abilities. Individualized teaching makes it possible to reach the best outcomes because clients’ readiness to perceive information and their particular situation is considered. Patient and family education should be managed as teamwork; professionals who are involved in it should be selected on the basis of clients’ issues and needs. In this way, for instance, psychological influence is required for both Mr. P and his wife. Moreover, it is vital to select an appropriate method of information delivery. For instance, the patient and his family are more likely to benefit from traditional teaching strategies than from innovative ones. Taking into consideration Mr. P’s age, it can be presupposed that he perceives information better during lectures and discussions than role-playing or technology use. In this way, written or printed material, as well as demonstrations, seem to be appropriate.
Teaching Pan
The teaching plan should information needed to ensure the patient’s and his wife’s ability to follow the physician’s recommendations. In this concrete situation, it should cover:
- Medication. Clients should acknowledge the way drugs should be used, including appropriate doses and time. Possible interactions with various food or other medicine should be discussed as well. Actions in case of side effects, overdose, and missed dose are to be revealed.
- Nutrition. As the patient has difficulties with a restricted diet, he should realize the adverse effects of his unwillingness to follow recommendations. His wife should be aware of special diet instructions (“Patient/family education learning module,” n.d).
- Physical exercise. The patient and his wife should know rehabilitation techniques and the way they should be managed.
- Psychological condition. Both clients should get to know the ways they can improve their lives for the better, adding more positive emotions and experiences. The possibility for the wife to minimalize psychological pressure should be considered.
- Follow-up. Clients should know whom to address if they need assistance or want to report changes.
References
Medications used to treat heart failure. (2017). Web.
Patient/family education learning module. (n.d.). Web.