This week for our service learning we went to the senior center and taught the clients there about skin care and the importance of taking good care of their skin. After teaching our mini lesson we helped each client correctly learn to wash their hands and then gave them hand massages and for those that wanted we painted their fingernails.
It's imperative for people to know how to properly take care of their skin and what practices promote healthy skin. As we age we lose skin elasticity and our skin becomes more fragile. Taking caution and preventing things that will damage the skin needs to be taught. In our lesson we taught a wide variety of the things but I feel that one of the most important things we taught about was protecting the skin from the sun. The generation we were teaching grew up in an era where they didn't know the negative effects of the sun. No one wore sunscreen or worried about what the sun was doing. Now that they have aged and their skin integrity is decreasing, I feel it's important for them to really understand the damaging effects of the sun.
Taking care of the skin is not only beneficial because it makes it look nice but also because good skin care helps get rid of bacteria and other harmful substances. Certain healthy practices can even benefit skin integrity and promote healing of injured skin. Something everyone can do is making sure they are getting the proper vitamins and minerals. The skin is the biggest organ in the body and has millions of cells that need good hydration and nutrition to stay vibrant and energized. Just drinking water and making sure to get proper nutrition can really benefit the skin.
This whole experience of teaching is really beneficial to me as a future nurse because I need to practice teaching patients. I'm learning through trial and error what really works while teaching and what doesn't. I'm also learning to engage my audience a little more. I know that when I am a nurse it's not necessarily important for me to be entertained but i think that when i am it helps the patients pay attention better and maybe receive the teaching a little better.
Something I've really learned while teaching the older adult is that while I'm teaching I need to refrain from being condescending. I have caught myself a few times speaking in that manner and noticed that when I was I was getting a negative response from the group. From this experienced I have learned ways that I can teach that give the message without being condescending. These communication skills will help me teach the patients I have in the future, especially those that are older than me.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Week 7: Service Learning Day
During this week my group planned out the service project will be working on throughout the semester. We are going to be going to the Orem Senior Center and teaching the clients there healthy practices. We went this Friday and had the opportunity to visit with some of the people and get familiarized with the place. We did not teach anything this first time but we participated in the activities of the day. In the next couple of weeks we will be teaching proper skin care, nutrition, and oral care.
I have been surprised at the lack of knowledge some people have about their health. Because i have been learning about the body and ways to keep it healthy i think its common knowledge to everyone. I’ve realized that it's not. I especially think that those in the older adult age groups have this knowledge deficiency. Most of them, especially the women, didn't have a lot of schooling and were not taught healthy practices. Also research and technology has come out that prove some practices to be unhealthy. Because of these things i believe it's very important for those you have the knowledge to share it with others.
The three areas we will be teaching on at the senior center are important especially to older adults. Older adults are at risk for malnutrition because they don't have the means or ability to provide themselves with the right foods. The senior center we attend does provide lunch for them which is helpful but i think it's important for these elderly to know how to help their bodies. The oral and skin care aspects of are teaching are important to these older adults because their skin becomes more sensitive over time. Some may have lost their teeth or may wear dentures so it's important to teach them how to properly take care of their dentures or teach them to take care of their remaining teeth.
I have a passion for helping people. I love to take care of those in need. I believe that part of taking care of people is educating them on things they can do to prevent illnesses. Education is becoming major part of health care and will continue to be important in order to prevent illnesses. I believe we can better the quality of life in our country of we take the time to educate our patients, friends, families and neighbors about simple health practices.
I am really excited to work with these older adults because i have some interest in geriatric nursing. I really believe that this service project will help develop skills as i interact with the elderly. I believe that the people i will work with will be able to teach me a lot more about life than I’ll be able to teach them. I do hope that the lessons i prepare to teach them with help better their quality of life.
I have been surprised at the lack of knowledge some people have about their health. Because i have been learning about the body and ways to keep it healthy i think its common knowledge to everyone. I’ve realized that it's not. I especially think that those in the older adult age groups have this knowledge deficiency. Most of them, especially the women, didn't have a lot of schooling and were not taught healthy practices. Also research and technology has come out that prove some practices to be unhealthy. Because of these things i believe it's very important for those you have the knowledge to share it with others.
The three areas we will be teaching on at the senior center are important especially to older adults. Older adults are at risk for malnutrition because they don't have the means or ability to provide themselves with the right foods. The senior center we attend does provide lunch for them which is helpful but i think it's important for these elderly to know how to help their bodies. The oral and skin care aspects of are teaching are important to these older adults because their skin becomes more sensitive over time. Some may have lost their teeth or may wear dentures so it's important to teach them how to properly take care of their dentures or teach them to take care of their remaining teeth.
I have a passion for helping people. I love to take care of those in need. I believe that part of taking care of people is educating them on things they can do to prevent illnesses. Education is becoming major part of health care and will continue to be important in order to prevent illnesses. I believe we can better the quality of life in our country of we take the time to educate our patients, friends, families and neighbors about simple health practices.
I am really excited to work with these older adults because i have some interest in geriatric nursing. I really believe that this service project will help develop skills as i interact with the elderly. I believe that the people i will work with will be able to teach me a lot more about life than I’ll be able to teach them. I do hope that the lessons i prepare to teach them with help better their quality of life.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Week 6: 2/10/11
In class I learned about the struggles that come with losing weight. For some it is a little bit easier to lose and for others it is extremely hard. The biggest thing I learned during the video and in life is that in order to lose weight you have to be dedicated but you also have to learn to love yourself big or small. Of course diet and exercise are key but i believe weight loss has a lot to do with one’s mind set.
This concept very much applies to being a student nurse. Often when people know you are a student nurse, or even a nurse, they trust your medical advice. Even just being a student nurse for a few months people ask me all sorts of questions. These questions create opportunities to teach others about the importance of nutrition, diet and exercise. I believe that education plays a major role in people’s ability to lose weight. During my service learning project I’d really like to take the opportunity to teach about nutrition and obesity.
The other thing that i think applies to my student nursing experiences is sensitivity. One of the men on the video talked about fat prejudice. I’m not sure I’d say that it's prejudice and much as it is stereotyping and judging, which maybe that is what prejudice is and I do just not understand the meaning. Even though I’m not the skinniest in the world, I’d probably even be considered overweight, when i see those that are obese i catch myself judging them before i know them. It's important that while i get rid of the stereotypes because as i treat patients i will encounter obesity and i need to understand that it's harder than it looks and that it's not always because they are lazy and don't eat right. Another subject i would like to do while teaching for my service learning project is to get rid of the fat stereotype. I want to show people that there is a real person underneath all that fat. There is a person that deserves respect, support and love from everyone around them.
Because obesity has become a national crisis, as a future nurse i will encounter many that are in the overweight category. The best thing I can do as a nurse is to educate my patients on nutrition and proper diet and exercise. But it's also important that as i attempt to teach that i am sensitive to the patient. Most know they are overweight and are just overwhelmed with the fact. Just telling them they are overweight and leaving it at that is only going to frustrate the patient and give them a reason to avoid the doctor’s office. In order to truly help our obese patients we have given them hope and support. One of the doctors on the video was a good example of support. When he was talking with the young man that wanted to have surgery he was supportive of him. He explained that his weight was getting dangerous but he also told of his struggles and experience. Sharing his experience helped his patient know he is not the only one struggling and that there are success stories out there.
As health care professionals we need to be our patients support and cheerleaders. No one can lose weight and stay successful in their weight loss if they do not have the support of everyone around them. Nurses have a special relationship with their patients. Most patients trust their nurses and rely on them. In that role nurses need to be positive and supportive of their goals in weight loss. They also need to be helpful when relapses occur. It is hard to diet and exercise and it is even harder when everyone makes you feel like a failure. It's important to help them overcome the failure and see the positive. Another role i believe nurses have is that because of their relationship with the patient they can help the patient make reachable goals. They can also help them plan out ways to meet those goals.
This concept very much applies to being a student nurse. Often when people know you are a student nurse, or even a nurse, they trust your medical advice. Even just being a student nurse for a few months people ask me all sorts of questions. These questions create opportunities to teach others about the importance of nutrition, diet and exercise. I believe that education plays a major role in people’s ability to lose weight. During my service learning project I’d really like to take the opportunity to teach about nutrition and obesity.
The other thing that i think applies to my student nursing experiences is sensitivity. One of the men on the video talked about fat prejudice. I’m not sure I’d say that it's prejudice and much as it is stereotyping and judging, which maybe that is what prejudice is and I do just not understand the meaning. Even though I’m not the skinniest in the world, I’d probably even be considered overweight, when i see those that are obese i catch myself judging them before i know them. It's important that while i get rid of the stereotypes because as i treat patients i will encounter obesity and i need to understand that it's harder than it looks and that it's not always because they are lazy and don't eat right. Another subject i would like to do while teaching for my service learning project is to get rid of the fat stereotype. I want to show people that there is a real person underneath all that fat. There is a person that deserves respect, support and love from everyone around them.
Because obesity has become a national crisis, as a future nurse i will encounter many that are in the overweight category. The best thing I can do as a nurse is to educate my patients on nutrition and proper diet and exercise. But it's also important that as i attempt to teach that i am sensitive to the patient. Most know they are overweight and are just overwhelmed with the fact. Just telling them they are overweight and leaving it at that is only going to frustrate the patient and give them a reason to avoid the doctor’s office. In order to truly help our obese patients we have given them hope and support. One of the doctors on the video was a good example of support. When he was talking with the young man that wanted to have surgery he was supportive of him. He explained that his weight was getting dangerous but he also told of his struggles and experience. Sharing his experience helped his patient know he is not the only one struggling and that there are success stories out there.
As health care professionals we need to be our patients support and cheerleaders. No one can lose weight and stay successful in their weight loss if they do not have the support of everyone around them. Nurses have a special relationship with their patients. Most patients trust their nurses and rely on them. In that role nurses need to be positive and supportive of their goals in weight loss. They also need to be helpful when relapses occur. It is hard to diet and exercise and it is even harder when everyone makes you feel like a failure. It's important to help them overcome the failure and see the positive. Another role i believe nurses have is that because of their relationship with the patient they can help the patient make reachable goals. They can also help them plan out ways to meet those goals.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Week 5: 2/3/2011
I learned this week that as we progress through life we enter different domains. We are all influenced by many factors: biological, psychological, sociological, political, environmental, spiritual and sexual. The thing I learned the most about was how environment affects us in all areas. None of us can change the genetics we have been given but most of us can influence our environment.
What this all means to me is that I need to know what domain I’m in and how my environment affects my performance. As I learn where I am and how my environment affects me I will better be able to help fellow classmates as well as those I work with as a student nurse. The environment around us can really affect our health and our ability to perform everyday tasks.
I believe that it is important first to make sure I am healthy enough take care of others. Part of being healthy knows how different aspects affect my health. Once I have knowledge of the risk factors in my life and take care of them I am better prepared to take care of patients and family members in my life.
Now with this knowledge I can better help future patients realize the domains affecting their lives and how they can influence them to better their health. It's also important to know these different domains and age groups because as a nurse I will encounter people from all different age groups. I want to confidently be able to teach and help my patients the best way I can and that means knowing each domain and helping them recognize those domains.
The age group that I think I can influence the most is those in the adolescent and young adult ages. During this time of life they are the most influenced by others and they may look to nurses and knowledgeable and be more likely to take their advice. It's important to know that during different ages life events affect them differently. Knowing this I can better teach health promoting activities.
What this all means to me is that I need to know what domain I’m in and how my environment affects my performance. As I learn where I am and how my environment affects me I will better be able to help fellow classmates as well as those I work with as a student nurse. The environment around us can really affect our health and our ability to perform everyday tasks.
I believe that it is important first to make sure I am healthy enough take care of others. Part of being healthy knows how different aspects affect my health. Once I have knowledge of the risk factors in my life and take care of them I am better prepared to take care of patients and family members in my life.
Now with this knowledge I can better help future patients realize the domains affecting their lives and how they can influence them to better their health. It's also important to know these different domains and age groups because as a nurse I will encounter people from all different age groups. I want to confidently be able to teach and help my patients the best way I can and that means knowing each domain and helping them recognize those domains.
The age group that I think I can influence the most is those in the adolescent and young adult ages. During this time of life they are the most influenced by others and they may look to nurses and knowledgeable and be more likely to take their advice. It's important to know that during different ages life events affect them differently. Knowing this I can better teach health promoting activities.
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