FAQ
Professional Organizations
It’s a matter of nursing ethics . . . .
From time to time we are asked about our code of ethics and our standards of practice. Professional nursing has both.
As in all professions, all nurses by way of their membership in the profession of nursing are professionally, ethically, and legally obligated to practice according to nursing standards and nursing ethics, ANA’s Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics for Nurses. These two nursing documents are charged with protecting the public by providing professional and ethical guidance to all nurses across all areas of nursing practice, including RNs whose nursing practice includes geriatric care management. In short, it is not possible for another profession or a non-nursing organization to guide the practice of nursing.
Please ask if you’d like to know more about our practice standards and our code of ethics–we love to talk about them!
What is a comprehensive assessment? A comprehensive assessment is a thorough, all-encompassing, exploration and evaluation of an older adult’s past and current status. In the end, the assessment outcome provides the foundation, a road map, for everything we do to make life easier. An individual assessment generally takes three to four hours. During the assessment our focus is on prevention and on the end result (aka outcomes).
A comprehensive assessment includes an exploration of
current status including the physical, mental, social, financial, and spriritual strengths fall risk analysis and subsequent home modification
living environment
medication status
ability to function well and to independently perform the basic activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, medication management, etc.
living arrangements, social network, and access to support services
past and current concerns
anticipated future concerns
Based on the assessment, a prevention-based comprehensive plan of care is developed and shared with all designated parties. We encourage sending a copy to the primary provider (physician or nurse practitioner). What is a health managment plan of care? Our framework: Prevention The U.S health care system tends to be far more comfortable with letting things break, then fixing them. ElderCare Management of Coastal Georgia believes it is kinder, more gentle, and certainly less costly to prevent negative life events when possible. Accordingly, we are very proactive as we work with older adults and families.
This document is the outcome of the older adult’s assessment and the action plan for future care. The care plan includes identified strengths and concerns and suggests specific prevention-based solutions.