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CPD reflective account person’s lifestyle, socioeconomic status and occupation can assist in diagnosing and managing asthma. Being aware of triggers is useful in planning and improving management of the condition.
Self-management
Asthma in older adults A CPD article helped Michael Danthis to improve his knowledge of how to care for older adults with asthma Asthma has become increasingly common in the older population. Educating older people and providing appropriate information on the condition can promote a lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing this condition. The management of asthma in older adults is different from that of children and younger adults because of physiology and the effects of ageing on the body. Ageing is natural and inevitable. Older people should be treated with dignity and respect and this includes timely diagnosis and appropriate management of conditions, including asthma, to maintain quality of life. Management of this condition in older adults requires greater knowledge and skill. This topic is particularly relevant to my practice since I work in a care home with older residents. After reading the CPD article, I understand the scope for improving management through having an agreed action plan. Such a plan can increase the
confidence of the person with asthma in the management of their condition and help to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. The signs and symptoms of asthma vary among age groups because of the degeneration of the respiratory system. It is important to identify the condition at the earliest possible stage to access appropriate treatment and support. Good communication with an older person and thorough history taking are important. Certain medications and other underlying disease conditions can make it difficult to diagnose people with asthma. Information regarding a
This reflective account is based on NS721 Carnegie E, Jones A (2013) Improving the management of asthma in older adults. Nursing Standard. 28, 13, 50-58.
Treatment of asthma in older adults sometimes does not deliver the desired benefit, and in such cases, a follow-up medication review is essential. For a patient to feel better, the medication needs to be effectively administered and its effect monitored. This is done through educating the patient and demonstrating how to use inhalers. Self-management of asthma helps to promote greater confidence and maintain dignity in older people. At community level, resources are available for both patients and healthcare professionals to manage asthma better through action plans and self-management. As a nurse, my aim is to engage with patients and develop action plans for individuals, monitoring the effectiveness of an action plan through regular assessments. I intend to work towards achieving greater collaboration between asthma patients, their families and healthcare professionals to ensure the best care possible. As a nurse, I will continue to improve my care of older patients with asthma by increasing my knowledge of the management of this condition NS Michael Danthis is a nurse at a care home in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 52 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
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CPD reflective account person’s lifestyle, socioeconomic status and occupation can assist in diagnosing and managing asthma. Being aware of triggers is useful in planning and improving management of the condition.
Self-management
Asthma in older adults A CPD article helped Michael Danthis to improve his knowledge of how to care for older adults with asthma Asthma has become increasingly common in the older population. Educating older people and providing appropriate information on the condition can promote a lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing this condition. The management of asthma in older adults is different from that of children and younger adults because of physiology and the effects of ageing on the body. Ageing is natural and inevitable. Older people should be treated with dignity and respect and this includes timely diagnosis and appropriate management of conditions, including asthma, to maintain quality of life. Management of this condition in older adults requires greater knowledge and skill. This topic is particularly relevant to my practice since I work in a care home with older residents. After reading the CPD article, I understand the scope for improving management through having an agreed action plan. Such a plan can increase the
confidence of the person with asthma in the management of their condition and help to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. The signs and symptoms of asthma vary among age groups because of the degeneration of the respiratory system. It is important to identify the condition at the earliest possible stage to access appropriate treatment and support. Good communication with an older person and thorough history taking are important. Certain medications and other underlying disease conditions can make it difficult to diagnose people with asthma. Information regarding a
This reflective account is based on NS721 Carnegie E, Jones A (2013) Improving the management of asthma in older adults. Nursing Standard. 28, 13, 50-58.
Treatment of asthma in older adults sometimes does not deliver the desired benefit, and in such cases, a follow-up medication review is essential. For a patient to feel better, the medication needs to be effectively administered and its effect monitored. This is done through educating the patient and demonstrating how to use inhalers. Self-management of asthma helps to promote greater confidence and maintain dignity in older people. At community level, resources are available for both patients and healthcare professionals to manage asthma better through action plans and self-management. As a nurse, my aim is to engage with patients and develop action plans for individuals, monitoring the effectiveness of an action plan through regular assessments. I intend to work towards achieving greater collaboration between asthma patients, their families and healthcare professionals to ensure the best care possible. As a nurse, I will continue to improve my care of older patients with asthma by increasing my knowledge of the management of this condition NS Michael Danthis is a nurse at a care home in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 52 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
NURSING STANDARD 6 other :: vol uses 28 no 49 :: permission. 2014 61 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 29, 2015. For personal useaugust only. No without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
