What do you think your role will be when your parent or parents need help?

Case Study:
Ms. Booth, 68 years old, comes to the senior health clinic to establish care and is accompanied by Ms. Singh, her partner of 20 years. Ms. Booth has a history of osteoarthritis in her hips and knees, coronary artery disease, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a 53-pack/year history of smoking, and Type 2 diabetes with mild peripheral neuropathy. Her medications include meloxicam 15 mg daily, aspirin 81 mg daily, valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide 160 mg/25 mg daily, nitroglycerin SL 0.5 mg every 5 minutes × 3 as needed for chest pain, fluticasone/salmeterol 250 µg/50 µg inhaled twice a day, glipizide/metformin 5 mg/500 mg twice a day, and pregabalin 50 mg three times per day. Vital signs include a blood pressure of 145/88 mmHg, a pulse of 92 beats per minute, a respiration rate of 18 breaths per minute, a temperature of 97.9°F, and oxygen saturation on room air of 96%.
The nurse asks Ms. Singh to leave the room during Ms. Booth’s physical examination; however, Ms. Booth asks for her partner to stay, saying they have some sensitive questions to ask and want to ask them together. Both women appear uncomfortable. The nurse sits down, leans forward, smiles, and asks how they can help. Ms. Singh looks at Ms. Booth, then says they are afraid to have intercourse since Ms. Booth’s chest pain began 6 months ago. The nurse nods then discuss with them ways to adapt to Ms. Booth’s chronic illnesses.
Which strategies should the nurse recommend to improve the client’s sexual health?

Chapter 27

1. What do you think your role will be when your parent or parents need help?
2. What would you find most difficult in regard to assisting your older parent/grandparent?
3. You are preparing an 81-year-old woman for discharge following a stroke. Her husband will be the caregiver. What teaching might you provide to prepare him for the caregiving role?