Reference no: EM133844626

Question

Mr. Edwards, an 85 year old male lives alone near a senior center facility that provides both medical and social services for senior citizens. His wife passed away, so he has been alone in his apartment for the last 8 years. His medical diagnosis includes hypertension, impaired vision, and rheumatoid arthritis which has progressed over the past two years, leaving him with severely limited dexterity in his prominent hand and problems with walking. Mr. Edwards cognitive impairment has continued to decline since his case was presented in Case Study #1.

Mr. Edwards is now exhibiting the following behaviors: Insulting friends and family, refusing to take his medications without encouragement, hygiene issues have increased. He often refuses to bathe, perform oral hygiene, and wash his hair. He becomes upset if any mistakes are mentioned and states "Oh well, a senior moment is to be expected now and then." His son Joseph reports that his father often wanders from room to room and calls out for his deceased wife. Over the past three months Mr. Edwards' weight has declined by 10 pounds. Joseph takes his father to the neurologist for another evaluation and reports the above behaviors and states "My father seems to make up things when he can't remember."

After a complete physical, neurological, and cognitive evaluation the neurologist advises the patient and his son that Mr. Edwards' disorder has progressed to Stage II of Alzheimer's Disease.

1. What are your concerns for this client and son now?

Relate your response(s) to the concepts of patient-centered care.

2. Identify at least four patient-centered-care interrelated concepts (using the Concept Related Diagram for Patient-Centered-Care) and discuss how they would interact with the current cognitive behaviors exhibited by Mr. Edwards.

3. What safety issues need to be addressed related to providing a safe environment for Mr. Edwards. Who could you involve in the coordination of the issue of safe environment and why?

4. Develop a plan for management of life affairs, such as power of attorney, advance directives, care giver role strain, and communication techniques for the individuals, care givers, and the community. Include ethical issues in your plan.