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Task of nurse in support of care about ill senior in a family
MRÁZOVÁ, Lucie
Old age is a natural part of our lives. Poetically, it is considered to be its autumn. Aging is a natural process and in nature it can be observed at every living creature. Everything is aging, and also we are becoming old. These days, longevity is an indicator of how much civilized each country is. As a result of quality health care and the development of society, people are living to higher age. These days, men are on average expected to live up to 79 years, women up to 74 years {--} figures that would have been considered unthinkable in the past. Taking into account these figures, several questions arise: Are we adequately prepared? Do we have, today, a system of care for the elderly to assure a respectable life for us and our parents in future? In the most ideal world, it would be the family or a close relative who would look after the old, ill or the person with limited self-sufficiency. However, this is a very demanding claim on family environment in these nervous and fast-pacing days. My bachelor thesis analyses the question of old age and all the problems it brings. I have attempted to look deeper into the role of a nurse in homecare. The practical part aims to map the role of a nurse in a home-based care and to determine her possibilities (on the basis of a questionnaire technique) in treating the elderly with health problems at home. Another partial goal of this thesis is to ascertain what needs do the ill elderly people have at home and in what ways can the nurse satisfy these needs, and to determine the physical and social strain it creates on the caregiver. After analyzing the results, my conclusion is as follows: The role of a non-professional caregiver is very significant. Family has and will always have an irreplaceable place in the care for its dependant members. There is no way any medical organization can replace the role of a family in the care for its ill family members. Care, especially long-term care, can be both mentally and physically demanding and puts an enormous strain on the caregiver. Caregivers are threatened by the deterioration of family ties, loss of friends, limited social contacts leading up to social isolation, they are prone to suffer from health problems and, in many cases, great exhaustion. The solution is to make use of a home-based care: professional nursing care provided by professional nurses. The purpose of a home-based care is to leave the patient in his/her home environment as long as possible and, at the same time, to provide professional nursing care. This care is complementary to family care; the nurse is helping the caregiver - family member. Based on my analysis, it's a very gratifying fact that nurses working in this line of work provide it gladly and with loving care. The care for the elderly is based on the principle of gratefulness, love, on the principle of sharing mutual feelings and the joys of small improvements. If we manage to increase the quality of life of caregivers with an adequate help, we will also enable the elderly or ill people to lead a contended and better quality life.
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Obesity in the elderly: The health and social issues
KLÍMOVÁ, Alžběta
ABSTRACT The present bachelor thesis is entitled Health and Social Aspects of Obesity in the Elderly. Obesity is a serious chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increased fat percentage in body composition with a simultaneous increase of body mass beyond the normal range. Obesity needs to be seen both as a disease and as an important risk factor contributing to the development of a number of other conditions. The results of extensive studies have clearly demonstrated an increase in the number of people affected by overweight or obesity on a worldwide scale. The rising population prevalence and incidence of obesity prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1997 to declare obesity a worldwide epidemic. The elderly constitute a high-risk group in terms of obesity development. The body{\crq}s reduced energy requirements on the one hand and the deeply entrenched poor dietary habits with an excess of low-quality foods coupled with reduced physical activity on the other hand necessarily lead to overweight and obesity. This serious chronic disease requires a comprehensive, individual-focused diagnostic and therapeutic approach. The main and irreplaceable role in combating obesity is played by prevention, which should become a society-wide task. This bachelor thesis consists of a theoretical and an empirical part. The theoretical section explains concepts related to the thesis topic, i.e.: obesity definition, obesity prevalence, causes of obesity development, effects of obesity, diagnostics in obesity medicine, treatment of obesity and obesity prevention. It also describes the issue of obesity in the elderly. The aim of the thesis was to ascertain attitudes within the elderly population towards the issue of obesity, as well as assess their level of interest in health and healthy lifestyles and whether they know and follow the current trends in healthy nutrition. Another goal was to examine their willingness to get actively involved in lifestyle change, thus assuming responsibility for their state of health. For the purposes of research the thesis used a quantitative research technique. Questioning was chosen as a method, the resulting technique used being a questionnaire. The practical part of the bachelor thesis closes with an analysis including an evaluation of results. The research results show that the elderly do not regard obesity as a substantial health problem. In my opinion, the stated aim of the thesis has been achieved.
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