Community and Public Health Nursing, Research Paper Example

The ecological model is an important factor in which focuses on both individual-level and population-level determinants of health and interventions. The ecological model incorporates the issues that are not just individually focused but community-based. Health is determined by influences on numerous levels intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and public policy factors. This ecological model of the health teaching plan provides a multifaceted view of the connections among the learning and health about factors that impact the targeted population. An ecological model is based on the assumption that patterns of well-being and health are impacted by a dynamic interplay among environmental, behavioral, and biologic factors, an interplay that unfolds throughout the life course of communities, families, and individuals. This model also assumes socioeconomic, ethnicity, race, gender, and age differences shape the context in which individuals function, and therefore indirectly and directly impact health resources and risks.

For the target population of The Caregivers/Families of the Alzheimer’s residents they are faced with many intra-individual and environmental factors. According to DeMarco & Harkness (2012), the ecological model stems from the original work of Bronfenbrenner, where this model is based on the belief that all processes occurring within individual people and their environment should be viewed as interdependent.  It also suggests that behavior change in people needs to be considered in a broader social context, including developmental history, psychological characteristics, interpersonal relationships, physical environment and culture (p.79). Due to the significance of the dynamic interrelationships that exist within different levels of health determinants, interventions are more likely to be effective when at all levels determinants are addressed.

Alzheimer’s disease typically progresses slowly in three general stages: mild (early stage), moderate (middle stage) and severe (late stage).  Since Alzheimer’s affects people in different way each person will experience it differently (Alzheimer’s Association, 2015). What is not discussed is the factors of hypertension and high blood pressure that contributes greatly to symptoms and the risks of acquiring Alzheimer’s. Some psychotic’s symptoms that I have experienced with Alzheimer’s patients are delusion, hallucinations either auditory and/or visual. So that is one of the psychological characteristics to consider.  The developmental history of Alzheimer’s is that it impacts the older population in which are more prevalent to high blood pressure, risk of cancers, and other attributes.

The psychological characteristics include physical changes, disorientation, incontinence, and aggressive behavior. While interpersonal relationships consist of distant from social networks, forgetful of conversations, names, and other social norms. The physical environment includes a lack of physical activity or stimulation, as well as factors of physical health like lifestyle factors that contribute to poor diet, exercise, and lack of sleep. The cultural factors that are prevalent is the racial and demographics that impact the prevalence of the population. As well as genetics plays a major role in the factors that impacts the ecological model in understanding the population.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2015), as the disease progresses, relationships will change.  The patient might also feel socially isolated due to family and friends might have pulled back from the relationship. If the caregivers/patients do not get this teaching, it does and can put them at a higher risk for more health conditions added on top of what they are now dealing with.  I think this teaching can help both the patients and caregivers in knowing more of HTN and of to manage it.

References

Alzheimer’s Association. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

Harkness, G.  A., Demarco, R. F. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins