Aging case study

Essay by vickylodicUniversity, Master'sD, May 2008

download word file, 11 pages 5.0

Case study-Douglas L.

History on admission

Douglas is a 75 - year - old who has a history of CVA with right hemipresis, Ischaemic heart disease with associated pulmonary oedema, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, DVT, reflux oesophagitis, cervical spondylosis and low back pain. Douglas was admitted to the high care facility for permanent care in June 2005 after his wife found it too difficult to care for him at home. Douglas has bowel and uninary incontenience and minimal verbal communication with especially unreliable responses to yes / no questions.

Social

Douglas married his wife Gloria 50 years ago when Gloria was a student nurse working in hospital. She did not work and stayed at home to look after the family after they married. They have two adult sons, Brett (45) and Warren (43). They both have their own families and live at the fringe of the Brisbane metropolitan area. Gloria developed Breast Cancer 20 years ago and responded well to surgery.

Douglas, a retired small business owner, looked after Gloria for many years before his stroke. Since Douglas was in high care at the nursing home, Gloria came 4 times a week to join in on centre activities with him: bingos, concerts, mini-athletics, BBQ and half-day outings etc. One to two times a week, Gloria pushed Douglas on a wheelchair out to the local sport clubs for lunch and would be back after the afternoon tea. Douglas even took overnight leave at home with his wife during weekends when his pain on the neck was under control. Life was not perfect but the couple adapted well with their respective medical conditions. Unfortunately, Gloria died of a heart attack in September last year. Their sons, Brett and Warren, can only take turns to come and visit Douglas on Saturdays.

Physical

Douglas is 5'8"...