Mr. Rojas is a 49-year-old patient with End Stage Renal Disease; What are the criteria to be placed in the transplant list?

Mr. Rojas is a 49-year-old patient with End Stage Renal Disease. He has a history of hypertension and uncontrolled type 1 diabetes (since he was 12 years old). His last Hemoglobin A1c was 12.8%. He is currently receiving hemodialysis three times per week for three hours. He is in the hospital because he went into DKA a few days ago when he had a stomach virus. He is asking you about renal transplantation.
What are the criteria to be placed in the transplant list?
What options for transplantation does Mr. Rojas have?
What recommendations can you give Mr. Rojas on treatment compliance?
What other renal replacement therapies could Mr. Rojas be educated about?
What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Must be at least 250 words.
ANSWER
Question 1: What is one example of ageism that you have witnessed in healthcare?
One example of ageism that I have witnessed in healthcare is a doctor dismissing an older patient’s concerns because they attribute their symptoms to aging. For example, an older patient may come in with complaints of fatigue, but the doctor may simply tell them that it’s normal to be tired as they get older. This can lead to serious health problems being missed or misdiagnosed.
Another example of ageism in healthcare is when older patients are not offered the same treatment options as younger patients. For example, an older patient may be told that they are not eligible for a certain surgery because they are too old. This can deprive older patients of life-saving or life-improving treatments.
Question 2: How do you think ageism affects older adults?
Ageism in healthcare can have a number of negative effects on older adults, including:
Reduced access to quality care: Older adults who experience ageism in healthcare may be less likely to seek out care or may receive lower-quality care when they do seek out care. This can lead to serious health problems being missed or misdiagnosed, and it can also lead to older adults not receiving the treatments they need.
Poorer health outcomes: Older adults who experience ageism in healthcare are more likely to have poorer health outcomes. This is because they may not be receiving the care they need, and they may also be more likely to experience stress and depression as a result of ageism.
Reduced quality of life: Ageism in healthcare can also reduce the quality of life for older adults. This is because they may not be able to participate in activities they enjoy or live their lives to the fullest because of their health problems.
Question 3: What do you think nurses can do to stop ageism in healthcare settings?
Nurses can play a key role in stopping ageism in healthcare settings. Here are a few things that nurses can do:
Educate themselves about ageism: Nurses can educate themselves about ageism and its effects on older adults. This will help them to identify and address ageism when they see it.
Challenge ageist stereotypes and assumptions: Nurses can challenge ageist stereotypes and assumptions that they hear from other healthcare professionals, patients, or patients’ families. This will help to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for older adults.
Advocate for older adults: Nurses can advocate for older adults by speaking up when they see them being treated unfairly or when they are not being offered the care they need.
Provide culturally competent care: Nurses can provide culturally competent care by being aware of the unique needs and experiences of older adults. This includes understanding the impact of ageism on older adults.
Question 4: Compare the Long-term health care cost burden of older adults in the United States with other countries such as Canada, Germany, or the United Kingdom (pick one country). Who bears the burden of the long-term health care cost of the older adult?
I will compare the long-term healthcare cost burden of older adults in the United States with the United Kingdom, as requested.
In the United States, the long-term healthcare cost burden of older adults is relatively high. In 2018, the average lifetime spending on long-term care for people aged 65 and over was $273,600. This cost is borne primarily by individuals and their families. Medicaid, a government health insurance program for low-income individuals, covers long-term care for some older adults, but it has strict eligibility requirements.
In the United Kingdom, the long-term healthcare cost burden of older adults is lower than in the United States. The National Health Service (NHS), a government-funded healthcare system, provides long-term care to older adults who meet certain criteria. However, there is a cap on the amount of NHS funding that an individual can receive for long-term care. This means that some older adults may have to pay out-of-pocket for some of their long-term care costs.
Conclusion
Ageism in healthcare is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of older adults. Nurses can play a key role in stopping ageism in healthcare settings by educating themselves about ageism, challenging ageist stereotypes and assumptions, advocating for older adults, and providing culturally competent care.
References
National Institute on Aging. (2022). Ageism and the Health of Older Adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Ageism and Health.
World Health Organization. (2021). Ageism.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). Long-Term Care