Older Adult/Geriatric Observation:

Select an individual who is in the late adult phase of the life span (~ 65 years of age or older). This can be a family member, friend, client/patient or neighbor. Spend time with this individual and through your observation, assessment and interviews answer the following questions:

Describe this individual’s physical characteristics. Include: age, race, ethnicity, height, weight, mobility, any impairments, any age related physical changes, overall health, energy level, hygiene, etc. (25pts)

Explain the persons living arrangements. Do they live at home? Alone? With spouse? Family? How does he or she feel about where they live? Are they happy? Isolated? Do they feel safe? What do you observe about the home? Is it clean? Does it look safe for this older adult? What safety changes would you recommend for this home for the older adult? (10 pts)

Does this person appear well nourished? Do they do their own shopping and cooking? If not, who does? Do they still enjoy eating? If not, why not? Do they take anything to supplement their nutrition? What can you recommend? (10 pts)

List each medication this person is taking and the reason for each. What are the side-effects of each? What is your older adult’s personal experience with taking these meds? How do they feel about taking these meds? What are some of the challenges they experience around their medications? (ie, side effects, vision, sleep, memory, dexterity) (25 pts)

What activities do they enjoy? Do they spend time with family and/or friends? Are they able to exercise? What activities/exercise would you recommend for this individual? (10 pts)

What are this individual’s spiritual beliefs? Do they practice a formal religion? How do these beliefs/practices support this person at this stage of his or her life? (10 pts)

Share some time reminiscing with this older adult. This supports which psychosocial phase of development (Erikson)? What did you learn about this person’s past or history that was interesting or surprising to you? What did you observe about this older adult as they were speaking to you about their past? (Were they happy, sad, excited, etc?) (10 pts)

ANSWER

Observation of an Older Adult

I had the privilege of spending time with Ms. Johnson, a vibrant 75-year-old African American woman who resides in her cozy suburban home. Ms. Johnson’s physical characteristics are indicative of her age, with slight graying hair, expressive wrinkles, and a noticeable stoop in her posture. She stands at 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 135 pounds. Although she moves with a slight shuffle due to age-related joint stiffness, she remains relatively mobile. Ms. Johnson’s overall health is fair, and she manages her energy levels well, but she admits to experiencing occasional fatigue. Hygiene remains a priority for her, and she takes pride in her appearance.

Ms. Johnson lives alone in her comfortable two-bedroom home. She expresses contentment with her living arrangements, valuing her independence. However, there’s a sense of isolation as her family members live in different states. The home is clean and well-maintained, although some areas could benefit from better lighting to enhance safety, especially during the evening. Considering Ms. Johnson’s slight mobility challenges, adding handrails in the bathroom and along staircases would be advisable to prevent falls and promote safety.

While Ms. Johnson does her own shopping and cooking, she sometimes struggles to maintain a balanced diet due to her limited mobility and energy. She enjoys eating but has noticed changes in her appetite and taste preferences. To supplement her nutrition, she takes a multivitamin daily. To further support her nutritional intake, I recommended consulting a dietitian who could help tailor her diet to her specific needs and preferences.

Ms. Johnson is on a few medications, including a blood pressure medication, a cholesterol-lowering statin, and a joint supplement. She experiences occasional dizziness and fatigue as side effects of her medications, leading to concerns about her daily activities. Managing her medications can be challenging due to her occasional memory lapses, and she sometimes mixes up the dosages. Implementing a pill organizer and setting reminders on her phone might help her stay on track.

Despite her age, Ms. Johnson maintains an active lifestyle. She enjoys walking around her neighborhood and practicing gentle yoga at home. Encouraging her to join a local seniors’ exercise class or engage in chair exercises could further enhance her physical well-being and social interactions.

Ms. Johnson has strong spiritual beliefs and is an active member of her local church. She finds solace and support in her faith community, which is a source of emotional well-being and strength during this stage of life.

Reminiscing with Ms. Johnson about her past revealed her positive outlook on life. She shared stories from her childhood and early adulthood, reflecting a sense of joy and contentment. This supports Erikson’s psychosocial phase of ego integrity versus despair, where individuals look back on their lives with a sense of fulfillment and acceptance. Ms. Johnson’s animated expressions while sharing her stories highlighted her happiness in reliving those moments.

Overall, spending time with Ms. Johnson provided valuable insights into the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of an older adult’s life. Her experiences highlighted the importance of tailored care, safety measures, nutritional support, and social engagement to enhance her quality of life during this stage of development.