Assignment: Telehealth Enhancing Care for Elderly Client
Case Study
Mrs. Smith is 82 years old and is diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Her two children live in California, whereas she lives in North Carolina in a small family home on 10 acres of land in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mrs. Smith has been in the hospital four times in the last year because of congestive heart failure. As her eyesight and mobility get worse with age, she has found it a challenge to stay on her medical plan and to do her shopping for the right foods she knows she should be eating. Mrs. Smith's health plan, Purple Cross of North Carolina, assigned a nurse case manager to address her situation. Purple Cross provided a digital scale and a remote monitoring device that record Mrs. Smith's condition every day by uploading her weight and transmitting the answers to a series of questions on a touch screen kiosk.
The case manager also coordinated delivery of Meals on Wheels, providing low-sodium, diabetic-compliant dinners to Mrs. Smith on an ongoing basis. The case manager calls Mrs. Smith twice a week, taking the time to educate her about her medications, her activities, and the disease-specific elements that will keep her healthy and out of the hospital. When the case manager identifies that Mrs. Smith can no longer organize her daily medications, a digital medication dispenser will be provided that will keep her on her medication regimen. The medication dispenser will be preloaded with Mrs. Smith's medications and will issue a subtle doorbell tone when it is time to take her medicines. With the combination of remote and real-time (telephonic) support persons and technologies, Mrs. Smith is able to remain in her home and avoid further inpatient admissions.
Essay Questions
a. In 300 words elaborate on at least 5 components that are critical to Mrs. Smith staying safely in her home?
b. In 300 words Describe whether Mrs. Smith's regimen might be augmented using telehealth Applications and what measures can be taken.
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.