Application of Virginia Henderson’s in Geriatric Nursing
Virginia Henderson’s need theory can have significant impact is applied in the care of geriatric patients. This theory can be useful during the management of the elderly and enhance their quality of life within the communities. The needs of individual patient can be adequately predicted. The level of needs of each patient can be used to determine the nursing support required in ensuring the delivery of optimum patient-centered care. The management of geriatric patients necessitates application of individualized assessment and application of nursing processes in order to identify the individual, environmental, health as well as the nursing needs (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015).
Under Henderson’s theory, environment is a crucial predictor of the health of an individual. For geriatric nurses, provision of a safe environment free of any risks of injury or an environment free of any psychological and emotional distress is important in reducing or managing any related injuries or the resultant anxiety, and e related depression. As such, nurses can carefully assess to determine the needs of the patients, to provide safe environment for patient to function optimally. The concept of environment includes the family and the society (Fernandes et al., 2019)..
Health of an individual is the primary goal. To function holistically, there must be emotional and physiological balance. This theory can be used to predict the different psychosocial and emotional needs of the patient. The elderly experience changes in roles and the social positions as well as lose of close relationships, both at family and the friends level. The ability to identify and address these issues in advance in consultation with the family is critical in ensuring that these patients always free of any feelings of emptiness in the society.
According to Henderson, the role of the nurse is to get inside the patients and supplement his or her strength or knowledge to his needs. Fernandes et al. (2019) argues that the ability of the nurse to identify the physiological needs of the elderly is vital. With age, there is a significant decrease in physiological reserves, and there is an increase in the risk of contracting diseases and an overall decline in the individuals’ functionality. It exposes them to musculoskeletal pain, joint stiffness, unstable gain and even risk of falls. Recognition of the necessary nutritional and physiological and support needs of these patients will greatly enhance the level of care.
In summary, the Henderson needs theory can be a valuable tool in predicting and providing optimum care for the geriatric populations with various needs.
References
Ahtisham, Y., & Jacoline, S. (2015). Integrating Nursing Theory and Process into Practice; Virginia's Henderson Need Theory. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(2).
Fernandes, B. K. C., Clares, J. W. B., Borges, C. L., Nóbrega, M. M. L. D., & Freitas, M. C. D. (2019). Nursing diagnoses for institutionalized elderly people based on Henderson’s theory. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 53.