Elderly and Cognitive Health: Facing Dementia and Alzheimer's - Essay Sample

Introduction

The selected vulnerable group are the elderly. One of the major health problems they are faced with is Cognitive health. Cognitive health entails more about a person's thinking, learning, and remembering capabilities. Dementia is one of the major cognitive health issues the elderly face. In the world, nearly 48 million people are suffering from dementia. Alzheimer’s which is a form of dementia affects around 5 million elderly people in the US. Despite the fact that there is no cure for dementia, a physician can recommend a treatment plan to manage the ailment.

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Determinants of Health

One can define the determinants of health as a variety of features such as social, personal, and environmental that influence the health of individuals. Firstly, there are social factors that include aspects such as the availability of resources to meet health needs. For instance, money to buy healthy foods. The chance of a poor health outcome when one is in a bad social environment is high ("Determinants of Health | Healthy People 2020", 2020). Secondly, is the availability of health services? If an individual cannot access health services his health will be at risk. People can be defeated to access health services due to financial constraints. The barriers to access health services can lead to an individual receiving the required help late thus affecting his health adversely. Thirdly, there is the individual behavior ("Determinants of Health | Healthy People 2020", 2020). An individual who has intercourse with many sexual partners without protection has the risk of contracting venereal diseases. If the person alters his behavior it will reduce his chances of getting infections. Fourthly, there are the biology and genetic factors that affect the health of individuals. A good example is a biological factor that elderly people are vulnerable to cognitive diseases than young people. The genetic makeup of other people like those suffering from sickle cell anemia can make them prone to health problems. Lastly, there is the policymaking either by the state or federal government. The state government can decide to initiate laws that tax more alcoholic beverages to deter people from drinking. Thus many people will not afford to buy them and their health will not be affected.

Observations in Sentinel City

After assessing sentinel city I have found it to have health disparities that are affecting the people's health. The health determinant affecting Sentinel city is individual behavior. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases more so in students of higher education is high. This is an individual behavior because if one uses protection he would not endanger his health. Obesity is also a major individual behavior that affects people in Sentinel City. Obesity is a serious health issue if not checked can lead to other ailments such as diabetes and other types of cancers. The elderly in Sentinel city health is also at risk due to their biology and genetics. Due to their biology, the elderly suffer from cognitive ailments. The conditions do impact negatively on the health of the elderly.

Evidence-Based Recommendations

For the elderly, behavior therapy intervention play an important role in managing the patient. Cognitive impairment makes the elderly to be in a condition where they cannot engage in enjoyable activities (Forbes, 2017). As such they have increased depressions leading to poor quality of life. Meaningful activities have been pointed out by caregivers as significant for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease (Forbes, 2017). Meaningful activities help in depression reduction and improve the rapport with the family members. For instance, the caregivers can do individualized light exercise such as walking. When this procedure is followed over a period of time it leads to an improved relationship.

The intervention objective is to give the caregiver skills which he can use to pick out the ailment and improve pleasant activities.

Obesity is a major issue in Sentinel city and can be addressed using an evidence-based approach. It is important to note that obesity can lead to individuals suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Intensive behavioral therapy can be applied to patients suffering from obesity. The primary caregiver can use the 5AS model. The 5AS model stands for, assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). This model plays a big role in encouraging a patient to reduce his weight, eat healthy and exercise routinely. The physician firstly the physician screens and assesses factors that can hinder the weight loss program such as depression and binge eating (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). He secondly advises the patient on the importance of weight loss and how his current weight can adversely affect his health. Furthermore, the patient is also advised in the dietary needs of his body.

Thirdly they come to an agreement as to what regiment to follow. The physician offers to guide the patient throughout the process. The patient on the other hand with the help of the physician comes up with attainable goals that can be measured. Fourthly, the physician assists the patient by counseling so that he can strictly adhere to the program. If there are any barriers that are affecting the patient they are looked at. Lastly is arrange which entails the physician assessing the program routinely. He can also carry out follow up visits to ensure the program has achieved its objectives.

References

About social determinants of health. World Health Organization. (2020). Retrieved 20 July 2020, from https://www.who.int/social_determinants/sdh_definition/en/.

Determinants of Health | Healthy People 2020. Healthypeople.gov. (2020). Retrieved 20 July 2020, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health.

Fitzpatrick, S., Wischenka, D., Appelhans, B., Pbert, L., & Wang, M. (2016). An Evidence-based Guide for Obesity Treatment in Primary Care. The American Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.07.015

Forbes, D. (2017). Cognitive stimulation therapy improved cognition and quality of life in dementia. Evidence-Based Nursing, 7(2), 54-54. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.7.2.54

Nilsen, P., Neher, M., Ellström, P., & Gardner, B. (2017). Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice from a Learning Perspective. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 14(3), 192-199. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12212