Assessment in the Acute care Setting
When an older person comes into acute care, a whole range of data must be collected in a standardised and comprehensive way. For this reason, an assessment tool is usually used. Illnesses in older people can be misdiagnosed, overlooked or mistaken as normal ageing processes, especially when health professionals don't recognise the ways that diseases and drugs can affect older patients. A thorough admission assessment can help ensure that assessment is accurate and useful. However, it is important to realise that assessment is not a one-off activity, but an ongoing and dynamic process. The health status of older patients can often change several times during one admission.
Jenneke talks in the video about taking time to conduct an initial assessment of an older client. She also mentions other ways of gathering information such as talking to carers and observing the client engaging in activities such as showering and eating meals.
How might you integrate the collection of assessment data into other care activities?
Click here to access a case for assessment.
Thinking challenge
