Guidelines:

Write a comprehensive discussion on a chosen client with a specific illness / disability within the care setting. Your assignment will be assessed on the following:

• Comprehensive description of client’s needs

• Accurate identification of assistance required

• Clear recommendations on an effective course of action to better meet client’s needs 

• Evidence of reflection as a result of 6 weeks work experience

Introduction:

In this assignment, Client "John," a 45-year-old man with Parkinson's disease, will be discussed. Every year, Parkinson's disease is identified in about 1% of those over 60 (Jordan et al., 2019). Parkinson's disease, which causes tremors, stiffness, and issues with movement and balance, is primarily driven by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain (Rajan et al., 2020). Through an analysis of recent research and evidence-based practise, this endeavour demands a thorough understanding of Parkinson's disease and its impacts.

Client's Needs:

Parkinson's disease patients receive the best care when their psychological, social, occupational, recreational, intellectual, and spiritual needs are considered in addition to their medical demands. When John was admitted to the care facility, the care team carefully evaluated his needs. We reviewed his medical records, assessed his present symptoms and functioning abilities, and spoke with him and his loved ones to ascertain his needs.

Physical Needs:

Most of John's physical needs are manifested in the form of his motor symptoms, which include tremors, stiffness, and issues with movement and balance (Radder et al., 2019). His care team has scheduled numerous physical therapy sessions to assist him in regaining mobility, strength, and stability. They ensure he receives his medicine on schedule and watch out for any adverse effects.

Emotional Needs:

Living with long-term diseases like Parkinson's disease can be emotionally challenging (Machhi et al., 2020). Because of his sickness, John has shown fear, sorrow, and frustration. The care team arranges regular therapy sessions to help him learn how to control his symptoms and deal with his emotions.

Social Needs:

John needs chances to interact with people and stay in contact with them to satisfy his social needs. His carers regularly look for opportunities for him to participate in shared activities with others, such as music therapy and painting classes.

Rehabilitation and Recreational Needs:

John's need for rest, as well as his physical requirements, go hand in hand. His care team arranges frequent rehabilitation sessions to aid him in regaining his mobility and functionality. They encourage him to engage in activities that fit his skills and interests, such as gardening and reading.

Intellectual Needs:

John desires to pursue his studies and engage in cognitively demanding activities. His care staff provides him with books, puzzles, and other educational items to suit his cerebral needs.

Spiritual Needs:

John has asked for prayer and spiritual guidance. A chaplain connected with the care team will pay frequent visits to check on him and provide spiritual direction.
A multidisciplinary approach is required to treat John's many needs, involving cooperation among various healthcare providers. The attention to detail and taking into account John's particular preferences from the care staff can significantly impact his health and quality of life.

Also Read - Nursing Assignment Help

Level of Assistance Required:

The degree to which John needs assistance with fundamental activities like getting dressed and eating depends on his symptoms and functional skills. His individualised care requirements and actions have been painstakingly outlined in his care team's comprehensive care plan.

Practical Skills:

John requires assistance from someone who can teach these skills because he struggles with many ADLs. Examples include acting in that way and grooming oneself. His care team ensures he gets the tools and support he needs to complete these tasks independently while respecting his choices and autonomy.

Communication Needs:

John has problems speaking since his Parkinson's disease limits his ability to use words to express himself. His communication capacity has improved due to the care staff's employment of various communication strategies, including giving him written instructions and visual aids. John's family members have also received communication training from the team, ensuring he always has access to the support he needs.

Mechanical Aids:

In some cases, mechanical assistance may be helpful for those with Parkinson's disease (Kluger et al., 2019). For example, John balances and walks with the help of a cane. The cane has been sized for him by the carers, who have also provided him with instructions on how to use it correctly.

John's care strategy is tailored to his unique needs and preferences, including the required level of assistance. His functional abilities, symptoms, and other factors are considered throughout the preparation and implementation of his care plan. The team can maintain John's autonomy and quality of life by making an effort.

Role of Healthcare Assistant:

By attending to each client's specific requirements, the healthcare assistant’s primary duty to enhance their health and quality of life. The work comprises many responsibilities to safeguard the client's safety, independence, privacy, and self-respect.

Also Read - Nursing Care Plan

Client's Privacy and Dignity:

Respecting the client's autonomy and personal space is essential to being a healthcare assistant (Lum et al., 2019). The client's privacy must be safeguarded, and they must always be handled with respect. Constant reminders from the healthcare provider to practice excellent hygiene and grooming may benefit the client's health and their sense of dignity and self-respect.

Independence/Autonomy:

The job of healthcare assistants significantly supports patients' independence and autonomy. They will be aiding the client with ADLs as part of this process and encouraging them to become more independent. The healthcare assistant's efforts to promote the client's sense of autonomy may improve the client's quality of life.

Self-Esteem:

The healthcare assistant is crucial in helping the client feel more confident. This entails showing the client compassion and understanding, being there for them emotionally, and motivating them to engage in constructive behaviours. When medical assistants compliment their patients and encourage them to recognise their development, it can help enhance their self-esteem.

Client's Safety:

The client's health should always come first for the healthcare assistant. This procedure seeks to protect the client's safety in a specific context by doing periodic risk assessments, implementing relevant safety measures, and providing enough support. Medical assistants must be alert for any warning signs of difficulty and take quick action to neutralise any hazards they identify.

Also Read - CHD Impact On Public Health In UK

Confidentiality:

It is the responsibility of the healthcare assistant to preserve patients' privacy. This includes respecting the client's right to privacy and only sharing information with other healthcare professionals when necessary. Healthcare assistants protect all patient records and ensure that only permitted people have access to them.

Evaluation:

By reflecting on the knowledge gained from the work experience, the healthcare assistant may examine the result for the client and demonstrate an understanding of the care provided and the justification for the same. The healthcare assistant can develop by examining the standard of care provided and the client's response to it.

The ability of the healthcare assistant to improve the client's health and quality of life depends on their capacity to correctly identify the client's needs and the degree to which the client requires assistance. To provide the client with the most outstanding care possible, the healthcare assistant must respect their right to autonomy, privacy, dignity, independence, pride, safety, and confidentiality.

The healthcare assistant can evaluate the effectiveness of the care given by monitoring the patient's progress and modifying the treatment plan. By often checking in with the patient to see if their needs are being fulfilled, the healthcare assistant can ensure their client receives the best care possible. The ultimate objective of the healthcare assistant's reflective practice and evaluation is to offer excellent, client-centered care that enhances the client's health and quality of life.
 

Top Nursing Samples
 

References

Jordan, S.R., Kluger, B., Ayele, R., Brungardt, A., Hall, A., Jones, J., Katz, M., Miyasaki, J.M. and Lum, H.D., 2020. Optimizing future planning in Parkinson disease: suggestions for a comprehensive roadmap from patients and care partners. Annals of palliative medicine, 9(Suppl 1), p.S63.
Kluger, B.M., Shattuck, J., Berk, J., Sebring, K., Jones, W., Brunetti, F., Fairmont, I., Bowles, D.W., Sillau, S. and Bekelman, D.B., 2019. Defining palliative care needs in Parkinson's disease. Movement disorders clinical practice, 6(2), pp.125-131.
Lum, H.D., Jordan, S.R., Brungardt, A., Ayele, R., Katz, M., Miyasaki, J.M., Hall, A., Jones, J. and Kluger, B., 2019. Framing advance care planning in Parkinson disease: patient and care partner perspectives. Neurology, 92(22), pp.e2571-e2579.
Macchi, Z.A., Koljack, C.E., Miyasaki, J.M., Katz, M., Galifianakis, N., Prizer, L.P., Sillau, S.H. and Kluger, B.M., 2020. Patient and caregiver characteristics associated with caregiver burden in Parkinson's disease: a palliative care approach. Ann Palliat Med, 9(Suppl 1), pp.S24-33.
Radder, D.L., de Vries, N.M., Riksen, N.P., Diamond, S.J., Gross, D., Gold, D.R., Heesakkers, J., Henderson, E., Hommel, A.L., Lennaerts, H.H. and Busch, J., 2019. Multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson’s disease: the new kids on the block!. Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 19(2), pp.145-157.
Radder, D.L., Nonnekes, J., Van Nimwegen, M., Eggers, C., Abbruzzese, G., Alves, G., Browner, N., Chaudhuri, K., Ebersbach, G., Ferreira, J.J. and Fleisher, J.E., 2020. Recommendations for the organization of multidisciplinary clinical care teams in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Parkinson's disease, 10(3), pp.1087-1098.
Rajan, R., Brennan, L., Bloem, B.R., Dahodwala, N., Gardner, J., Goldman, J.G., Grimes, D.A., Iansek, R., Kovács, N., McGinley, J. and Parashos, S.A., 2020. Integrated care in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Movement Disorders, 35(9), pp.1509-1531.