Apprenticeship Learning Log
Date of Learning:14/05/2025
Time: 9:30 – 16:30
Title of learning activity: Health Promotion in Older People.
Diary of Learning activity
(itemise learning activity and reflect on the main points of learning from each. You should identify for each entry the relevant KSB)
Reflection on Learning Activity (include model of reflection e.g. Driscoll or Gibbs):
Health promotion in older people, focus on maintaining and improving physical and mental well-being, enhancing functional capacity, and promoting social engagement to foster independence and quality of life.
Physical Health Impacts of Ageing
- Musculoskeletal System
- Decreased muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia)
- Joint stiffness and pain, often due to osteoarthritis
- Bone density loss, increasing the risk of fractures (osteoporosis)
- Cardiovascular System
- Reduced heart efficiency – the heart may pump less effectively
- Increased blood pressure
- Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
- Respiratory System
- Decline in lung capacity
- Less efficient oxygen exchange, making physical exertion harder
- Sensory Changes
- Hearing loss
- Vision decline, including difficulty seeing at night or reading small print
- Reduced taste and smell, which can affect appetite and nutrition
- Immune System
- Weakened immune response, making infections more frequent and recovery slower
- Digestive System
– Slower digestion
– Greater risk of constipation
– Reduced nutrient absorption
- Skin and Hair
- Thinning skin, more prone to bruising and injury
- Hair thinning and greying
Mental Health Impacts of Ageing
- 1. Cognitive Changes
- Slower processing speed and reduced multitasking ability
- Mild memory lapses are normal, but significant memory loss may signal dementia
- Increased risk of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease
- Emotional and Psychological Well-being
- Increased risk of depression and anxiety, often linked to isolation, loss of independence, or bereavement
- Sense of purpose may decline after retirement or loss of social roles
- Grief and loneliness are common due to the loss of peers or partners
- Sleep Patterns
- Changes in sleep architecture, such as lighter sleep and waking more often
- Insomnia and sleep disorders become more common
- Mental Resilience
- Some older adults show increased resilience, better emotional regulation, and life satisfaction
- Wisdom and life experience often contribute to emotional strength
Evidence-based activities can support the health and wellbeing in older people.
Physical Activity Programs, community walking groups, chair-based exercises, tai chi, yoga, swimming. Improves mobility, balance, and strength, reduces fall risk, enhances cardiovascular health and mental wellbeing.
Older adults face a range of physical, emotional, and social challenges that can impact their overall wellbeing. As a nurse, recognising these challenges and providing holistic, person-centred care is essential.
- Be a patient advocate: Ensure their voice is heard and respected.
- Deliver holistic care: Address physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
- Foster trust and dignity: Treat everyone with respect and empathy.
- Support family and caregivers: Include them in care planning and provide education and reassurance.
KSBs addressed:
S6: Act as an ambassador for their profession and promote public confidence in health and care services
S7: Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges
S8: Recognise signs of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health
S9: Develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues
S25: Meet people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep
S26: Meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health
S27: Meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity
S28: Support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort and pain