Healthcare Needs and Nursing Care Plan

My selected population is elderly American-Indian women, widowed, living alone in the rural community, and being managed for type 2 diabetes in the nearby county hospitals.

The first healthcare need is diabetes management. This need includes blood sugar control, adherence to medications, and prevention of complications related to diabetes. Social support and spiritual care needs are integral in this population. In managing type 2 diabetes among the elderly, social support, knowledge, and awareness will determine a better disease prognosis. Having caretakers who support the patients by taking them to hospitals, observing dietary recommendations, and adhering to medications is critical to better disease outcomes (Ishak et al., 2017). This population will have unmet needs because of poverty and no support system (Zhang et al., 2017). Older adults living with diabetes and in rural areas have challenges accessing healthcare. These challenges include financial challenges, inaccessible physicians, mobility issues, and lack of awareness of the best healthcare facility, which are barriers to healthcare access.

Secondly, these patients must be educated on eating healthy meals and avoiding sedentary lifestyles to reduce weight and manage obesity. The need to link the patients with dietitians and lifestyle specialists will improve the quality of care as we address the health care needs. An accountable person who will support and ensure strict adherence to dietary recommendations will aid in the sustainability of weight loss programs.

Lastly, it is essential to address the spiritual needs of this population. Interventions include offering love and care, spiritual meditation and profound intimacy with God through prayers, the market to find hope and purpose in love, the need to forgive and be forgiven, and the need to transcend life challenges (Seragi et al., 2016). Awareness of the importance of spiritual well-being while caring for the elderly suffering from diabetes aids healing.

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Provider Level of Care

Medical management for my selected population involves administering glucose-lowering medications to help control blood sugar. Secondly, the patient should be monitored and taught to ensure adherence to the nutritional recommendations. This may include referring the patient to a diabetes/ lifestyle educator or a dietitian. The patients may also be taught how to prepare simple and available healthy diet fixes like simple grains, fruits, and vegetables to help control weight. Lastly, educating the patient on lifestyle modification activities like walking for at least 20 minutes daily and the need to stop alcohol consumption will be crucial.

Telehealth facilities will involve linking the patient to a medical specialist through a mobile app (Am well). Schedules for appointments will be sent from the doctor, while live calls, video conferencing, and online prescriptions will help access doctor services without visiting the hospital. Telehealth will save on transportation time and costs, decrease the chances of acquiring hospital-acquired infections, and reduce elderly care issues.

Alternative medicine involves patients being taught the importance of meditation and tai chi, which can help improve their general wellness and health. They can use certified herbal treatments that help control blood sugars. Since they are elderly, herbal calcium supplements can help strengthen their bones. Using chiropractic and acupuncture to treat conditions like neck and back pain can help relieve symptoms associated with old age (Rhee et al., 2018). Alternative therapies are proven to alleviate symptoms related to the disease process and improve the disease prognosis.

Case Study

Olivia is a 72-year-old American-Indian female living alone in a rural community in a small apartment. She has a son who occasionally visits twice a month. She is being followed up by her primary care physician for diabetes and obesity. She feeds on fast foods mostly since she cannot prepare healthy meals. Her diet consists mainly of bread, tortillas, cheese, pasta, and potatoes. She occasionally misses clinic visits and cites cost implication challenges. She also takes alcohol to relieve herself from loneliness. Because she solely depends on government aid, she cannot afford fresh vegetables, fruits, and expensive meals. Instead, hot dogs and bologna are her frequent meals. The primary care physician recommended lifestyle modifications, dietary counseling, and adherence to her medication.