Risk Assessment with Relation to Falls in the Home in the Elderly Popul

This assignment will focus on the issue of Risk Assessment with relation to falls in the home in the elderly population. It will discuss the relationship between the community healthcare team and the individual client, the government policies related to the topic, and the influences of health policy upon the provision of community care. The role of the community nurse in public health education and promotion will also be explored. The client, in this particular instance, is Mrs Pugh. She is an 84-year-old female who lives alone since her husband's death 3 years ago. Mrs Pugh has a previous medical history of 'unexplained falls'. Her medical records also highlight the fact she is suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis. Mrs Pugh has recently been discharged home from hospital following surgical repair of a fractured tibia and fibula, the result of another 'unexplained fall' at home. Mrs Pugh has a carer who comes in daily to assist with hygiene, helping Mrs Pugh have a shower each day; she also supports Mrs Pugh with general domestic tasks. It is important to emphasise that the pair of them have developed a very good relationship. Mrs Pugh has always been a fiercely independent lady and doesn't take kindly to any, as she puts it, interference in her personal life. However, the relationship she has with her carer is very important to her. Health promotion is based on theories about what influences peoples' health and then what constitutes an effective intervention or strategy to improve health (Naidoo and Wills 1999). These theories are based on research. Research may be defined as 'any systematic information-gathering activi... ... totally irrelevant to them can lead to time wasting and frustration (Spicer 1982b). The clients' ability to learn must then be ascertained, the nurse must approach the client in a manner appropriate to the client, using language the client will understand. Finally, the nurse should assess the clients' readiness to learn. Luker and Caress (1989) emphasise that the physical and psychological consequences of ill health can affect the learning process. The client's carer and family will also require information, education and support from the nurse to enable them to provide the appropriate support for the client. The nurse may also have to make referrals to colleagues, such as the occupational therapist; so all the information should be available to other health professionals who may be involved in the clients' care.