Home Search Sitemap Contact Bookmark

Free Dissertations - Health Dissertations

(haupt B J Et Al. 1999) In The Vast Majority Of Cases This Is Associated With ...

(Haupt B J et al. 1999) In the vast majority of cases this is associated with a loss of independence, increasing frailty and an increasing predisposition to illness that comes with increasing age. (Juurlink D N et al. 2004). This loss of independence and increasing predisposition to illness is also associated with depressive illnesses of varying degrees. (Bruce M L et al. 2002). These patients are arguably, by a large, more likely to come into contact with the nurses in the community. (Munson M L 1999) The comments that we have made elsewhere relating to the nurse's role in being aware of the implications for the depressed elderly patient are particularly appropriate in this demographic subgroup. As a general rule, it may be easier to keep a watchful eye on patients who are exhibiting early signs of depressive illness or mood disorder in this situation by making arrangements to visit on a regular basis or on significant anniversaries such as the death of a spouse or a wedding anniversary. (Nagatomo I et al. 1998) when the risk factors for suicide increase dramatically (Schulberg H C et al. 1998)

The literature in this area is quite extensive and covers many of the aspects of suicide in the elderly. It is noticeable however, that there is a great deal of literature on the subject of risk factors and associations of suicide together with plenty of papers which quote statistics that relate the various trends and incidences. There are, by comparison, only a few papers which emphasise and reflect on the positive aspects of nursing care. The positive steps that can be taken by the nursing profession specifically to help to minimise the burden of suicidal morbidity. There is clearly scope for studies in areas such as the impact that a dedicated community nurse might have on the levels of depression in the community if regular visits were timetabled. It is fair to observe that the community mental health nurses fulfil this role to a degree, but are severely hampered in most cases by sheer weight of numbers in the caseload. (Mason T et al. 2003)

Having made these observations, we must conclude that there appears to be an overwhelming case for opportunistic screening of the at risk elderly at any point of contact with a healthcare professional. It is part of the professional remit of any nurse to disseminate their specific professional learning with others. (Yura H et al. 1998). This can either be done on an informal professional basis in terms of mentorship or, if appropriate in a lecture or seminar situation. (Hogston, R et al. 2002). There clearly is little merit in critically evaluating the literature and creating one's own evidence base if it is not disseminated to one's professional colleagues. (Hunt T 1994)


Reflections

John Dewey is generally credited with first propounding the concept of reflective thinking in the early part of the 20th century.


Thanks