case 3

Being physically active is inherent in reducing the risk of chronic illness and maintaining everyday life functions at all ages. This is important among the elderly population. Retaining physical, cognitive, and psychosocial function is crucial for successful aging and avoiding fragility. Activities recommended for the elderly population to promote health and prevent frailty include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical exercise each week and strength training activities that involve all major muscle groups at least two days per week (Langhammer et al., 2018). Additionally, eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean meats, learning to manage stress, getting plenty of rest, maintaining yearly annual physicals, and taking the necessary steps to prevent infections. Preventing infections includes getting annual vaccinations and displaying proper hygiene. Lastly, cognitive health is an essential component of performing everyday activities. Recommendations for being intellectually engaged include partaking in meaningful activities such as hobbies or volunteering, reading books, playing games, and connecting with others through social activities and community programs. Studies report that consistent physical and cognitive engagement reduces the risk of some health problems, helps you feel less isolated, and improves older adult's overall health and well-being (Langhammer et al., 2018). 

In advising young adults in selecting contraceptive methods, I would consider age, medical illnesses, relationship factors, marital status, desire for future pregnancies, religious beliefs, potential side effects, and any barriers to access and consistent and correct contraceptive use (Hoopes et al., 2021). Building and fostering a therapeutic relationship would be vital to optimizing shared decision making, focusing on each patient's preferences for features of contraceptive methods. While I do not believe I have personal beliefs that would inhibit my ability to advise patients in this circumstance, it is essential to foster awareness of one's own bias and work to overcome that if it arises consciously. Recognizing ethnic and racial differences in family planning care and attending to our involvement and the contributing characteristics can address personal conflicts and help improve the quality of care given.

The smoking cessation plan includes eight steps—step 1: Set a date to quit smoking. Be strategic, plan for it and pick a date with few temptations. Step 2: Identify your triggers and log them. Log the situations or things that cause you to smoke a cigarette; maybe it's stress, going out, or boredom. Step 3: Overcome your triggers. Plan out activities or things you can do to replace your triggers. Step 4: Educate yourself about smoking addictions. Learn and become aware of the negative effect on your health and well-being. Step 5: Pick a quit smoking aid. If desired, there are medication, gums, patches, and much more to help quit. Step 6: Find a support group. Quitting smoking is complex and can be easier with a strong support team. Step 7: Get Prepared. Get rid of everything associated with smoking, like lighters and ashtrays, and get your replacement aids in hand—step 8: Start. Start your journey to a smokeless, healthier you. Never give up! If your relapse, pick up where you left off.

Poverty among older adults is linked with an increased risk for frailty, declines in mental health, and increased risk for chronic illness (Stolz et al., 2017). Older adults who experience poverty may lack financial resources to access care, often delaying medical treatment and increasing the risk for chronic illnesses. Poor and or inadequate nutrition is often a result of poverty and leads to malnutrition, associated with the increased likelihood of depression for the elderly (Stolz et al., 2017). Increased and chronic stress from financial burdens can exacerbate and cause many health issues from mood disorders, insomnia, and heart attacks (Stolz et al., 2017). Health promotion recommendations include helping this population gain access to state and government programs that can provide financial assistance like Medicaid and Medicare. These programs should be expanded, and out-of-pocket costs should be reduced or eliminated. Also, increasing the availability of resources and programs that aid with present and long-term health care costs is needed. The need for local community support groups among this population should be encouraged to help with the negative consequences of poverty like social isolation, fear, depression, and anxiety.  

References

Hoopes, A., Timko, A. C., & Akers, A. (2021). What’s known and what’s next: Contraceptive counseling and support for adolescents and young adult women. National Library of Medicine, 34(4), 484-490. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.008.

Langhammer, B., Bergland, A., & Rydwik, E. (2018). The importance of physical activity exercises among older people. BioMed Research International, 2018.

        https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7856823

Stolz, E., Mayerl, H., Waxengegger, A., & Freidl, W. (2017). Explaining the impact of poverty on old-age frility in Europe: Material, psychosocial and behavioral factors. European Journal of Public Health, 27(6), 1003-1009.  https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckx079