The CDC and Healthy People 2020 continue to educate on the importance, the improved ease of access and insurance coverage for screenings and vaccinations. It is the responsibility of nurses to engage our ageing adults in self-advocating for services that benefit the individual and community health. How can you, as a registered nurse, impact older adults to encourage routine vaccination? What impact does this have on the community as a whole?
Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 200 words in length.
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Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is crucial to educate nursing college students on the importance of routine vaccinations for ageing adults. The CDC and Healthy People 2020 have continued their efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of immunizations and improved access to them. In this response, we will discuss how registered nurses can encourage routine vaccination among the elderly and the impact of this on the community.
Registered nurses’ impact on encouraging routine vaccinations among older adults:
Registered nurses can have a significant impact on encouraging routine vaccinations among older adults by providing education about the benefits of immunizations. Nurses can review vaccine records and recommend which vaccinations are needed based on age, health status, and lifestyle. Providing this education can help the elderly understand the importance of immunizations in the prevention of illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles.
Nurses can also address concerns and misconceptions about vaccines that older adults may have. For example, there is a common misconception that vaccines can cause certain illnesses or have harmful side effects. Nurses can provide evidence-based information to dispel these myths and build trust with their patients.
In addition, nurses can use motivational interviewing techniques to encourage elderly patients to receive their routine vaccinations. This approach involves discussing the patient’s goals and values and how receiving vaccinations can help achieve these goals. It is imperative to remember that communicating effectively with elderly patients requires using simple language and allowing enough time for the patient to ask questions and express their concerns.
Impact on the community as a whole:
Encouraging routine vaccinations for ageing adults has a significant impact on the community as a whole. High vaccination rates among the elderly lead to herd immunity, which can protect those who cannot receive vaccinations, such as infants or those with certain medical conditions. Herd immunity helps prevent the spread of disease and protects vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, immunizations reduce healthcare costs by preventing illnesses that may require hospitalization, extended care, or constant medical attention. Encouraging routine vaccinations for aging adults can significantly reduce healthcare costs, freeing up resources for other areas in healthcare.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, nurses have a crucial role in encouraging routine vaccinations for ageing adults. As we have discussed, providing education, addressing concerns and misconceptions, and using motivational interviewing techniques can be effective in encouraging elderly patients to receive their routine vaccinations. Encouraging routine vaccinations has a beneficial effect on both the elderly and the community, resulting in reduced healthcare costs and overall health improvements.
