PALLIATIVE CARE UNIT

Nursing in Palliative Care Unit

Nursing in Palliative Care Unit

Introduction

Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people. Geriatric medicine allows the optimal treatment of the older patient. Geriatric medicine allows health care professionals to maximize function and quality of life for the longest period of time. It requires treating much more than the affected organ system associated with the disease; socioeconomic and family issues need to be addressed as well.

Answer 1

The problem of caring for an ageing population is a complex one. It often calls for what might seem to the, outsider to be great sacrifice within the family (only that "love knowveth no measure, but is fervent beyond all measure") and for much generosity from the whole community . Few, however, will escape a stay in hospital in their later years. Many will die in hospital. It depends very much on the action taken as a result of this report whether that experience is foreseen with tranquility or with despair.

Answer 2

To assist with the care of an aged parent throughout weary terminal illness is to learn at bitter cost just how highly skilled is this art which is so lightly regarded by those who should be leaders in their profession. One thinks of the ready acceptance of one nurse to one baby being the correct staffing for an infants' ward. And one wonders, wryly, why other nurses should be expected to care for thrice as many geriatric patients, whose needs are as great, whose demands more vocal, and who weigh approximately fourteen times as much.

Eligibility requirements for gerontological certification in nursing are to hold a currently active registered nurse license in the United States or its territories, to have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full time as a registered nurse in the United States or its territories, to have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice within the past 3 years in the area of gerontological nursing, and to have 30 continuing education contact hours in the area of gerontological nursing within the past 3 years.

Answer 3

Diet

In the past, people with diabetes had rigid diet prescriptions and were told not to eat too many carbohydrates (breads, starches) and never to eat sugared foods such as sodas and desserts. Current guidelines are no longer for a “diabetic diet,” but instead call for eating a healthy diet tailored to individual food preferences. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with diabetes follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for all Americans: eat a variety of foods; monitor portion sizes; eat foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains); and consume fat, sodium, and sugar in moderation. People with diabetes need to know approximately how many calories or servings to eat each day from the three nutrient categories: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Specific recommendations are the responsibility of the physician and dietician, and usually are as follows: (a) protein: 10% to 20% of total calories (depending on kidney function), ...