When the pandemic hit the United States in early 2020, I remember my parents calling me to expressing their worries and fears for my grandparents. Both sides of my grandparents are older and were at risk of being harmed by COVID. Due to this, they self-isolated for an extremely long during the pandemic, which was a common theme for many individuals across the world. One of my grandmothers struggled a lot because before the pandemic she taught piano to local students. Once the pandemic hit, she was no longer able to have piano lessons. One way we helped her was setting up facetime and zoom meetings with her students so she could continue to teach. Other activities that my grandparents did were facetiming me and other family members, creating book clubs that they wrote messages in the books and sent them to other friends, and having window visiting with neighbors and family members. During the pandemic, I think my grandparents were very stressed, but I expected that because everyone was extremely stressed out.
After listening to the lecture presented by CECE, I was shocked how much it related to my own elderly family and friends. I was shocked to hear that many older adults have anxiety and depression and that older adults have one of the highest rates of suicide within populations. Throughout the presentation, I kept thinking about how I would incorporate all aspects of care to older adult clients when I began my nursing career. I would first want to focus on both their physical wellness but also their mental health well-being. By having the ability to teach my patients how to take care of themselves through exercising, eating healthy, non-pharmacological pain malmanagement, and safety around the house, I will be helping their physical well-being. By explaining treatment thoroughly, creating a trusting and caring relationship through open conversation and spiritual wellness, I hope I will be able to care for the older adult clients’ mental wellness. I plan to focus on both aspects to create the best environment for my patients.
My perspective has changed greatly on aging, I was very naïve to think that older adults did not suffer from anxiety and depression or suicide. I always thought older adults were at the end of their lives and their health was beginning to decrease. However, after watching the lecture I finally understood and created a new perspective for older adults. My new perspective is how strong elderly individuals are. So much of their lives are changing from new health needs, retirement, or family members, these individuals have so much change happening and handle everything that is thrown at them. Due to this, my perspective on aging has changed to view these individuals as strong and independent. I am thankful for this lecture for opening my eyes to a better view and ability to care for older adults.
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