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Proposal for Improving Health Outcomes in a Senior Community: A Holistic Approach to Care

Rashidat Opere

Rasmussen University

Role And Scope

Professor Sandra Kaufman

8/11/2023

Introduction

This proposal targets to cater to the needs of a senior client named Mrs. Anderson, living in a retirement community. Rudnicka et al. (2020) argue that with an aging population, comprehensive and individualized care is essential for better health outcomes. This proposal describes a needs-based assessment of Mrs. Anderson’s situation, identifies potential areas for improvement, and proposes an approach to improve her overall well-being. The proposed project targets the elderly community within the retirement facility.

Needs-Based Assessment

Mrs. Anderson is an 82-year-old widow who lives in a retirement community. She suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and mild cognitive impairment, all of which are prevalent among people her age according to research by Rudnicka et al. (2020). An assessment of her needs indicates several challenges affecting her health outcomes:

1. Lack of Individualized Care: Current care models tend to use a blanket approach that doesn’t take into account each patient’s unique set of circumstances and preferences.

2. Limited Access to Healthcare: The retirement community does not have any healthcare services on-site, which results in patients having to wait longer to receive medical assistance.

3. Social Isolation: Mrs. Anderson hardly has any contact with other people, which contributes to her feelings of isolation and has a negative impact on both her mental and physical health. The feeling of loneliness as described and evidenced by Neves et al. (2019) is among the worst feelings in the world for this population group.

4. Inadequate Chronic Disease Management: Her diabetes and hypertension must be managed effectively to reduce the risk of complications as per McMahan et al. (2020), but the current system is inadequate.

Goal of the Project

The primary goal of this proposal is to improve Mrs. Anderson’s overall health outcomes and quality of life, as well as that of her peers who live in the same retirement community. Following the recommendations of McMahan et al. (2020), we hope to build a model of holistic care that emphasizes customized attention, social engagement, and better chronic disease management by addressing the gaps that have been identified.

Target Audience

The intended audience of this initiative encompasses the elderly inhabitants of the retirement community, specifically those who suffer from persistent health ailments, as well as the healthcare practitioners and personnel operating within the establishment.

Expected Response

We expect the proposed project to yield several positive outcomes:

1. Improved Health Outcomes: Through the implementation of individualized care and enhanced management of chronic diseases, we expect to observe outcomes akin to those reported by McMahan et al. (2020). These outcomes encompass a decrease in acute exacerbations, hospitalizations, and a general enhancement in the overall health status of Mrs. Anderson.

2. Enhanced Quality of Life: Neves et al. (2019) have shown that the implementation of social engagement programs, support groups, and recreational activities can effectively address social isolation among seniors, leading to a more enriching and satisfying existence.

3. Increased Healthcare Access: According to Rudnicka et al. (2020), the implementation of collaborative efforts with local healthcare professionals and the establishment of regular health check-ups within the facility can effectively improve the accessibility of healthcare services for the inhabitants.

4. Empowered Caregivers: Training and equipping caregivers and personnel with specialized skills as advised by Rudnicka et al. (2020) will ensure they can deliver personalized care effectively.

Conclusion

The present plan delineates a thorough evaluation of the needs of Mrs. Anderson and the retirement community, with a focus on determining the extent of assistance required. The objective of implementing the proposed project is to enhance health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for elderly people. Neves et al. (2019) have shown that the implementation of individualized care, social engagement, and effective chronic illness management can contribute to the promotion of a healthier and more content senior population. The project’s success will serve as a paradigm for other senior care facilities, fostering improved care methods for the aged demographic.

References

McMahan, R. D., Tellez, I., & Sudore, R. L. (2020). Deconstructing the Complexities of Advance Care Planning Outcomes: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? A Scoping Review.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,
69(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16801

Neves, B. B., Sanders, A., & Kokanović, R. (2019). “It’s the worst bloody feeling in the world”: Experiences of loneliness and social isolation among older people living in care homes.
Journal of Aging Studies,
49(49), 74–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2019.100785

Rudnicka, E., Napierała, P., Podfigurna, A., Męczekalski, B., Smolarczyk, R., & Grymowicz, M. (2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) approach to healthy aging.
Maturitas,
139(139), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.05.018