Geriatric Syndrome Analysis Essay (Essay Sample)

Geriatric Syndrome
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Geriatric Syndrome
Geriatric syndrome encompasses a wide range of age-related health complications, such as depression, dementia, falls, and gradual fractures of the bone. According to Münzer (2017), these health conditions are directly correlated with a reduction in life expectancy in many communities. For instance, in the United States of America, many people live healthier, but as they age, they become more susceptible to age-related health problems. These are known as geriatric syndromes. Geriatricians are specialized healthcare professionals who provide treatment and support to older patients suffering from geriatric syndromes. For a health condition to be described as a geriatric syndrome, it must present a significant impact on a person's health status and daily life. For instance, an adult person may suffer from mild to severe cases of dementia or experience delirium due to constant medications during the treatment of other diseases. Geriatric syndromes result in longer hospital stays, reduced quality of life, and increased disability or even mortality.
Fulmer SPICES Framework
The Fulmer SPICES framework is a tool used to obtain crucial information necessary in preventing health complications among older patients. SPICES represents some of the most common alterations that require interventions.
S=disorders related to sleep
P=eating problems
I =incontinence
C=confusion
E=falls evidence
S=skin problems or breakdown
Aging results in irreversible health changes. These alterations are largely responsible for the increase in the risk of developing other health complications that usually affect the older population. Some of the health problems that affect the elderly include falls, confusion, skin problems, sleep or eating disorders, and the dysfunction of the urinary bladder (Bristol, 2019). In 1988, Terry Fulmer developed Fulmer SPICES to help healthcare professionals in correcting vital information from older patients. This framework has, over the years, become a vital tool for preventing age-related health complications and improving the quality of care among older patients.
Impact on Care to the Elderly
The Fulmer SPICES framework is an essential tool that allows doctors and other healthcare practitioners to provide care to the elderly. In particular, it enhances assessment using available evidence-based practices. The tool helps nurses to collect necessary information during the assessment of a patient's health conditions and needs. As a result, it becomes easier for the medical providers to identify the most common geriatric syndromes an older patient may be suffering from.
The Fulmer SPICES also helps to reduce mild to severe health complications among the elderly. While providing care to this population is ultimately an essential exercise, reducing other age-related complications such as falls, depression and confusion, incontinence, and skin problems is inevitable. The Fulmer SPICES is an excellent example of tools that nurses use in the healthcare facilities to mitigate health complications among the elderly (Bristol, 2019). Besides, it provides a simple and secure system for identifying areas that require complex assessments as a basis for improving the quality of care around specific health parameters.
Finally, a