IADLs and Challenges for Seniors

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

• Doing Laundry is a key IADL.
• Many seniors and family caregivers underestimate the effort required to do laundry.
• Taking Medication is another important IADL, requiring careful attention to dosage and schedule.
• Medication Safety Tips for Seniors:
  • Keep a current medication list
  • Take medication as prescribed
  • Talk to the doctor about side effects
  • Be aware of potential drug interactions

Common Challenges Elderly Clients Face with ADLs

• Many seniors face challenges with ADLs due to physical limitations, health conditions, or cognitive decline.
• Common challenges include:
  • Limited mobility and strength
  • Joint stiffness and pain
  • Cognitive impairments affecting memory and decision-making
  • Decreased activity levels

Dressing

• Many older adults prefer to be dressed in daytime clothes each day.
• Being dressed often helps them feel more confident and comfortable interacting with others.

Toileting

• Toileting is a common IADL challenge for seniors and caregivers.
• It is a naturally private matter and needing assistance can be embarrassing.

Maintaining Continence

• Continence care helps individuals maintain bladder or bowel control.
• Practices include advice on keeping the bladder healthy, continence assessments, identifying appropriate treatment, and offering emotional support.
• Continence tips:
  • Go to the toilet to urinate only when your bladder is full.
  • Take your time on the toilet.

Doing Home Repair

• Home repairs and modifications help seniors live in their homes for as long as possible.
• They make the home safer and more accessible, reducing fall risks, preventing accidents, and increasing independence.

Preparing for Meals

• Caregivers are frequently responsible for creating menus and making meals for their senior family members.
• Making and freezing healthy meals is one solution to save time and ensure a balanced diet.

Polypharmacy

• Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications, which can be common in older adults.
• Nurses play a vital role in managing polypharmacy-related challenges:
  • Medication Reconciliation: Regularly update the medication list to minimize duplication.
  • Monitoring: Assess for adverse effects or changes in functional status related to medication use.
  • Streamlining Regimens: Work with healthcare providers to consolidate medication regimens whenever possible.

Sample Medication List

• Prescription Medications:
  • Amlodipine (5 mg) - Blood pressure medication
  • Metoprolol (25 mg) - Beta-blocker for hypertension
  • Warfarin (2.5 mg) - Anticoagulant
  • Pantoprazole (40 mg) - Proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux
  • Sertraline (50 mg) - Antidepressant
• Over-the-Counter Medications:
  • Ibuprofen (200 mg) - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
  • Diphenhydramine (25 mg) - Antihistamine for allergies and sleep aid
  • Calcium carbonate (600 mg) - Calcium supplement
  • Vitamin D (400 IU) - Vitamin supplement

Potential Drug Interactions and Adverse Effects

• Amlodipine and Ibuprofen:
  • Interaction: NSAIDs like ibuprofen may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like amlodipine.
  • Adverse Effects: Increased blood pressure due to reduced efficacy of amlodipine, potentially impacting overall wellbeing and cardiovascular health.
• Metoprolol and Diphenhydramine:
  • Interaction: Diphenhydramine may increase the sedative effects of metoprolol, potentially causing dizziness and reduced cognitive function.
  • Adverse Effects: Impaired mobility and increased fall risk.
• Warfarin and Pantoprazole:
  • Interaction: Pantoprazole can affect the metabolism of warfarin, leading to altered anticoagulation levels.
  • Adverse Effects: Increased risk of bleeding due to changes in warfarin levels, impacting functional status and overall wellbeing.
• Sertraline and Calcium/Vitamin D Supplements:
  • Interaction: Calcium supplements can interfere with the absorption of sertraline, reducing its effectiveness.
  • Adverse Effects: Reduced mood-improving effects of sertraline, potentially affecting functional status and overall quality of life.

Ways to Educate Clients About Medication Management

• Personalized Education Sessions:
  • Conduct one-on-one education sessions tailored to the client's medication regimen and health conditions.
  • Provide clear explanations of each medication's purpose, dosage, and potential side effects.
• Visual Aids:
  • Create visual medication schedules or charts to show when and how each medication should be taken.
  • Use color-coding or symbols to make it easier for clients to understand.
• Written Instructions:
  • Provide written instructions for each medication, including dosage instructions and any special considerations.
  • Use plain language and simple terms.
• Medication Lists:
  • Help clients create and maintain an up-to-date list of all their medications.
  • Encourage them to carry the list with them to medical appointments.
• Pill Organizers:
  • Demonstrate the use of pill organizers with compartments for different times and days.
• Mobile Apps and Technology:
  • Recommend medication management apps that send reminders for taking medications and provide information about each drug.
  • Show clients how to set up alarms and notifications on their smartphones.
• Caregiver and Family Involvement:
  • Involve caregivers or family members in medication education.
  • Encourage open communication between clients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
• Plain Language Materials:
  • Develop easy-to-understand brochures or pamphlets about medication management.
  • Use simple language and visuals.
• Question and Answer Sessions:
  • Schedule regular sessions where clients
  • Create a comfortable environment for open discussions.

This quiz covers Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) and the common challenges elderly clients face with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). It explores important tasks like laundry and medication management, highlighting the effort required and the safety tips for seniors. Additionally, it discusses the physical and cognitive limitations many older adults experience.