Lesson 1 - The Client
Who is the client ?
The person you provide care for may be called a client, care recipient, consumer, employer, or resident. In this course, we have used client to represent any of these.
Where a client lives
A client wants to live in a care setting that offers him/ her as much independence as possible. The three care
settings where a client may live, include:
settings where a client may live, include:
- An adult family home;
- A boarding home; or
- The client’s own home or apartment.
Client’s care team
The care team includes the client and everyone involved in his/ her care. The care team can include family, friends, doctors, nurses, caregivers, social workers, and case managers. The role of the care team is to support the well-being of the client.
A client’s disease or condition
The most common diseases or conditions DSHS clients have include:
- Heart disease;
- Dementia;
- Arthritis;
- Diabetes;
- Stroke;
- Neurological problems;
- Mental illness; or
- A respiratory condition.
Aging and Health
As a caregiver, it's important to recognize the typical changes that occur with aging. This awareness serves several purposes, including:
Aging is a natural process that affects everyone. Many bodily functions undergo common and normal changes as people age. It's essential to understand that aging itself is not a disease; it's distinct from being unwell. The rate and manner in which people age can vary significantly due to factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, nutrition, stress, physical activity, mental attitude, and underlying medical conditions.
Adapting to the changes associated with aging is key to enabling most older adults to lead fulfilling and independent lives during their later years.
- Encouraging Medical Treatment: You can encourage a client to seek medical attention when necessary by identifying age-related changes in their health.
- Reporting Concerns: Knowing when to report issues or concerns that may arise due to aging ensures that appropriate action is taken promptly.
- Self-awareness: It also helps you become more aware of your own beliefs about aging and disability, which can influence the care you provide.
Aging is a natural process that affects everyone. Many bodily functions undergo common and normal changes as people age. It's essential to understand that aging itself is not a disease; it's distinct from being unwell. The rate and manner in which people age can vary significantly due to factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, nutrition, stress, physical activity, mental attitude, and underlying medical conditions.
Adapting to the changes associated with aging is key to enabling most older adults to lead fulfilling and independent lives during their later years.
Common Changes Associated With Aging
Eyesight - loss of peripheral (side) vision and decreased ability to judge depth. Decreased clarity of colors (for example, pastels and blues). Need for more light. Glare is harder to tolerate.
Hearing - loss of hearing, especially high pitched sounds. Decreased ability to distinguish sounds when there is background noise and words get harder to separate.
Smell and taste - decreased ability to smell and taste.
Touch and Smell - decreased sensitivity to pain, touch, temperature extremes.
Kidneys and Bladder - increased frequency in urination. Both shrink and become less efficient.
Bones - somewhere around age 35, bones lose minerals faster than they are replaced. Height may decrease, bones may weaken with an increased risk of fracture, posture may get worse.
Heart - thickens with age. Pumps less efficiently.
Lungs - somewhere around age 20, lung tissue begins to lose its elasticity, and rib cage muscles begin to shrink. Breathing gets less deep and ability to cough is decreased.
Muscles - muscle mass declines, especially with lack of exercise.
Skin - skin is thinner and gets more dry and wrinkled. It heals more slowly.
Nails - grow more slowly and get thicker.
Digestion - some vitamins are absorbed more slowly, digestive system slows down. Constipation may be more of a problem.
Nervous system - reflexes get slower, less steady on feet, and falling may become a problem. Sleep gets lighter and may wake up more at night.
Hearing - loss of hearing, especially high pitched sounds. Decreased ability to distinguish sounds when there is background noise and words get harder to separate.
Smell and taste - decreased ability to smell and taste.
Touch and Smell - decreased sensitivity to pain, touch, temperature extremes.
Kidneys and Bladder - increased frequency in urination. Both shrink and become less efficient.
Bones - somewhere around age 35, bones lose minerals faster than they are replaced. Height may decrease, bones may weaken with an increased risk of fracture, posture may get worse.
Heart - thickens with age. Pumps less efficiently.
Lungs - somewhere around age 20, lung tissue begins to lose its elasticity, and rib cage muscles begin to shrink. Breathing gets less deep and ability to cough is decreased.
Muscles - muscle mass declines, especially with lack of exercise.
Skin - skin is thinner and gets more dry and wrinkled. It heals more slowly.
Nails - grow more slowly and get thicker.
Digestion - some vitamins are absorbed more slowly, digestive system slows down. Constipation may be more of a problem.
Nervous system - reflexes get slower, less steady on feet, and falling may become a problem. Sleep gets lighter and may wake up more at night.