Aging Adult Case Study

Aging Adult Case Study

Introduction

The measure of an individual’s healthy weight and height is often referred to as the Body Mass Index (BMI). The values of the BMI are often achieved by dividing the person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. A healthy adult’s BMI should range between 18-25, and any value above that range is considered overweight (CDC, 2021). Any value below 18 is also considered underweight, which is poor for a healthy system. Very high or a very low BMI is risky and can affect an individual’s diet and exercise involvement. The aged population is the most affected by the fluctuation in the BMI due to the body’s state. The review below uses a case study to address the BMI, age’s effect on health, and improvement strategies of an aged patient with a very high BMI.

The Clients BMI

The client’s BMI is 31.6, which is in the obese range. The higher BMI presented by the client indicates that the client has elevated body fat levels. The elevated fat levels subject the client to health risks such as developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Screening tools used to assess nutritionally and exercise knowledge, and why?

A quiz or a questionnaire form some tools effective in assessing the client’s knowledge of nutrition and exercise (Kesari & Noel, 2022). Quizzes and questionnaires exercises assess the general client’s awareness and knowledge and exercises and the related topics to identify any areas where the client may need more education.

A questionnaire about dietary frequency is another resource that may be used. This kind of questionnaire would inquire about the client’s typical consumption of various food groups and might yield insightful data on the client’s diet (Kesari & Noel, 2022). Using this data, suggestions on how the client’s diet may be improved could be made.

The client’s readiness to start a physical activity program might also be determined using a physical activity readiness questionnaire. The client’s current level of physical activity, any health issues that would restrict their activity, and their reasons for beginning an exercise program will all be covered by this questionnaire (Kesari & Noel, 2022). This data would be used to assess the client’s readiness to start an exercise program and to suggest the kind of program that would work best for them.

One Outcome, Intervention, and Rationale

The client’s primary goal is to live alone and maintain her independence. The nursing intervention that can help achieve the goal is to provide the client with enough education and support for efficient financial and budget management. The rationale for the presented intervention is that it will enable the client to maintain their independence by ensuring that the client has the needed resources to help her continue staying alone. The goal is timely and realistic since independence is the primary issue with the patient. However, the goal can take three months to achieve.

Weakness in the client’s life may be impacting the client’s activity and diet.

The client’s age is her biggest weakness. She is more prone to have age-related health issues at the age of 68, such as memory loss, osteoporosis, and arthritis. She also has a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke (CDC, 2021). These health issues may impact the client’s exercise level and nutrition. For instance, if the client has osteoporosis or arthritic discomfort, she could find it challenging to engage in physical exercise. If she has memory issues, she might not be able to engage in activities that require a lot of balance or coordination, like dance or tennis. Additionally, suppose the client cannot make her meals or experiences difficulties chewing or swallowing due to age-related health issues. In that case, she may be at risk for malnutrition.

The referrals I would make and the reasons for the referral.

The client is in good health considering her age and can care for herself independently. However, she might be at risk for falls and other age-related health issues that have given her advanced age. She should see a geriatrician or primary care physician for a thorough physical examination to rule out any underlying medical issues. To lower her chance of falling, I would advise her to participate in a fall prevention program, such as Tai Chi for Seniors. I would also advise her to enroll in a community program or senior center for socializing purposes and to support her independence.

Conclusion

The BMI is a critical component of an individual’s health among the aged populations. It outlines the total body fat content and the risks an aged person is exposed to at any instance they have a higher BMI. Some likely health risks associated with BMI are hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Therefore, nutritional and dietary knowledge form an effective strategy for understanding the individual’s awareness of dietary and exercise involvement.

References

CDC. (2021, June 7). Defining Adult Overweight and Obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/adult-defining.html

Kesari, A., & Noel, J. Y. (2022). Nutritional Assessment. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580496/