Introduction
The assessment includes knowing the cause and intensity of the ailment, its impact on the person, awareness of relevant interventions and therapies, specific objectives to address those needs, and awareness of any concomitant conditions. The patient’s treatment is typically coupled with various other disorders due to the rise in age-related ailments (Franceschi et al., 2018). Nurses must understand that age-related physiologic or psychological disorders and other comorbid illnesses frequently do not improve over time. Precautions, drug allergies, and other useful information should be known to the nurse. If the patient has several coexisting conditions, the nurse must evaluate each one to see if it is being treated well, what management strategies work, and if there are any connections between them.
Age-Related Physiological or Psychological Disorder
A higher infection threat is linked to both the aging process as a whole and human lifespan. As people age, hormonal changes and diminished resistance may make them more susceptible to skin conditions. With dental caries, gum problems, and lesions or ulceration on the skin, fungal infection is another issue that plagues elderly individuals frequently. The human integumentary system aids in the intake of vitamin D. This hormone is vital to the health of bones since it impacts the absorption of calcium (Integumentary system: What it is, Function & Organs, 2022).
Elderly adults may also experience problems with their bones and teeth, such as poor taste, broken teeth, fractures, and decreased bone mass. The nurse needs to distinguish between pathological conditions affecting the integumentary system that are age-related and those that are not. Changes in skin tone, thickness, nail development, skin conductance, moles that alter in form or pigment, and hair loss are some symptoms of pathological aging-related changes.
Age-Related Changes and Joint Problems and Conditions
Reduced mitosis within the stratum germinativum, which results in a narrower epidermis, reflects these alterations. Sluggish wound recuperation is instigated by the dermis’s diminished ability to rejuvenate, which is essential for the skin’s suppleness and elasticity (Solé-Boldo et al., 2020). The loss and relocation of fat cause the hypodermis, which contains fat storage, to lack structure, which in turn causes the skin to shrink and droop.
Moreover, the accessory components are less active, producing thinner nails and hair and less sweat and sebum (De Bengy et al., 2021). Some older people may be unable to sweat as much, making them sensitive to intense heat. In addition to becoming less functional, other cells like melanocytes and dendritic cells lighten the skin’s tint and reduce resilience. The disintegration of the skin’s framework following diminished dermal collagen and elastin production, weakened muscles within the skin, and poor moisture retention causes wrinkles.
As people age, the prevalence of osteoporosis declines, making bones more brittle and fractures more frequent (Barnsley et al., 2021). As they age, it gets harder for them to keep their teeth clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Moreover, they might be more susceptible to illnesses, including fungal infections, xerostomia, and cracked skin.
These illnesses may impact a patient’s quality of life if they cause pain, distress, or social exclusion. Several different illnesses might impact the integumentary system in addition to the usual skin problems linked to aging. Hormonal shifts and lowered immunity may make individuals more prone to skin conditions.
The Nursing Management Appropriate for Integumentary Function
The nurse must motivate the patient to adhere to prescribed therapies and, if necessary, assist the patient in adequately adhering to advised self-care habits, such as healthy eating and skin treatment. The nurse must allow the client to express their feelings about their skin problem verbally. Assessment, diagnosis, preparation, execution, and evaluation are all parts of the nursing procedure that detect potential issues (White, 2022). A medical aid setting’s quality integumentary inspection by a nurse practitioner encompasses inspecting the overall skin condition, observing sores and injuries, and examining the limbs for edema, temperature, and capillary refill.
Conclusion
As humans age, several common disorders and modifications to the skin’s appearance take place. Due to their thinner, less supple skin, older persons are more likely to sustain injuries. As necessary, nurses may inform senior clients about the value of movement for a better healing process and healthy skin. To lessen the integumentary condition, consuming a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and keeping the skin moisturized with creams and other moisturizers are crucial.
References
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Franceschi, C., Garagnani, P., Morsiani, C., Conte, M., Santoro, A., Grignolio, A., Monti, D., Capri, M., & Salvioli, S. (2018). The continuum of aging and age-related diseases: Common mechanisms but different rates. Frontiers in Medicine, 5(61), 1–23. Web.
Integumentary system: What it is, Function & Organs. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Web.
Solé-Boldo, L., Raddatz, G., Schütz, S., Mallm, J.-P., Rippe, K., Lonsdorf, A. S., Rodríguez-Paredes, M., & Lyko, F. (2020). Single-cell transcriptomes of the human skin reveal age-related loss of fibroblast priming. Communications Biology, 3(1), 1–12. Web.
Stibich, M. (2023). How to slow down the process of aging. Verywell Health. Web.
White, A. (2022). The correct method to completing an integumentary assessment. Nursing CE Central. Web.