Question

Describe the characteristics of the aging process. Explain how some of the characteristics may lead to elder abuse (memory issues, vulnerability, etc.). Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult.

Answer 1

Answer: The characteristics of aging process includes the shrinking of skin, wrinkles, these are the physical changes whereas loss of hearing, loss of memory, blurred vision etc.

These conditions may lead to elder abuse such as people suffering from memory loss can be con by the people, shopkeeper etc. They can make the elder people to forget their things such as they can take mobiles etc.

The nurse should consider the geriatric patient more observable as they need more attention as compared to the middle aged adult. The geriatric patients requires assessment such as the level of depression if any, the nurse should intervene about the memory power, vision ability to see etc.