Arthritis: Considerations for the Home Care Nurse
Presented by Nathalie Rennell
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Many individuals, young and old, have been diagnosed with a type of arthritis so it is highly likely that a home care nurse will have patients with this diagnosis in their caseload. Because the presence of arthritis can impact how effectively a person functions in their home environment, home care nurses need to be familiar with its many types to be able to adapt care as needed. This course will present an overview of the types of arthritis and impact on care of self in the home environment including practical tips to adapt care and promote patient safety.
Meet your instructor
Nathalie Rennell
Nathalie Rennell currently cares for her medically fragile grandson. Prior to making this transition, she was an instructor in the RN-BSN/CEP programs and on the honors faculty with the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU). She was also faculty at the Phoenix Institute for Herbal…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Overview of the Types of Arthritis
There are many types of arthritis. Often home care patients will tell the nurse that they have arthritis, but will not know what kind. In reviewing the different types of arthritis, the home care nurse can be aware of specific issues that would impact a patient’s ability to function safely in the home. After a general overview of the types of arthritis, the focus of the discussion here will be on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Functioning at Home with Arthritis: Evaluation of Self Care
Multiple types of assessments for activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living have been developed. Sections of the OASIS Start of Care data set also include assessments of daily functioning. A review of some of the commonly used assessments, their connection to home safety and tips to efficiently conduct these assessments can be found in this chapter.
3. Functioning at Home with Arthritis: Adapting the Plan of Care
While arthritis is often not the primary diagnosis for admission to a home care agency, the extent of arthritic changes of a patient may greatly compromise their ability to follow the plan of care. It is a critical role for the home care nurse to formulate plans of care that include adaptions applicable to the patient, their abilities and pain level. Utilizing visual depictions of arthritic changes, this chapter connects assessments for activities of daily living with practical adaptions that can be incorporated into the plan of care.
4. Where to Look for Additional Arthritis Related Resources
An aim of the home care nurse is to prepare patients and families to manage care needs once home care services are no longer indicated. Home care nurses need to be knowledgeable about current arthritis treatment modalities and community resources to promote ongoing personal care management. This chapter will identify arthritis related resources for home care nurses, patients and families including where these resources may be found.
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