Gerontology

Gait Pattern Comparison

The selected older person gaits differ from a younger person in terms of speed and stability. Gait pattern is normally driven more by an individual’s personality, age, and social factors. In that, the older person demonstrated a later slow, extensive based, shuffling and hesitating walking patterns. Young people are characterized by rather rapid walks that never follows a specific pattern with no hesitation or stops. The pattern is, however, different from abnormal gait patterns because the client demonstrated some form of coordination and sensibility even though she lacked adequate strength and functionality. Even though the client would walk a distance, the walk was characterized by cautions and regular stops.  From observations, I believe that my client is at risk of immobility consequences. This is because, with the lowered movement, this will result in the stiffening of the muscles, painful movement with mobility growing to be more challenging. This is because they seem to move less and with that, the muscles will get stiff in the instance that she is not exposed to adequate movement.

The assessment revealed some useful facts that although the client appears to be stable while walking it is apparent that they necessitate more clinical care to strengthen their muscles and better concentration. Rising without getting support using the arms appeared to be a challenge and with the frequent walking stops, it appeared that the muscles were beginning to stiffen thus creating a form of walking strain and soreness.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk (CVD) in an Older Adult

Cardiovascular Disease remains to be among the leading mortality and morbidity sources particularly among the aging population and thus some rather strategic preventative approaches are necessitated. My client is a 68 years female who has retired from economic activities but does a few things for herself. The client is considered to be independent on the ground that she accomplishes some tasks on how own without needing any kind of support. Having been a smoker in the past she stopped like two years back after the doctor recommended that she needed to adopt a healthy living lifestyle for better existing. She lives with diagnosed diabetes which is under control but her unregulated anger and stress which has turned to depression are the main divers of her constant blood pressure. The patient has for years struggled with a weight which is accounted for her current hypertension state but she remains physically inactive as she is aging.

With the condition, it is rather evident that my client is at risk of Cardiovascular Disease and immobility. This is because her medical history indicates that she has been under diabetes treatment for more than 20 years. In addition, with obesity and physical inactivity Cardiovascular Disease is unavoidable which implies that even though the consequences of immobility are severe cardiovascular problems will make the condition even worse which will also lead to the risk of mortality. The client is hesitant to walk not only based on her weight but on the ground that her muscles seem to be growing less responsive to movement and it appears that the mobility generates some soreness. In order to lower the risks, I would recommend that the patient is placed under a dieting program that will be useful in controlling diabetes progress and lead to weight reduction. In addition, therapy would do her good in learning how to control irritation and stress (Wilmoth & Ferraro, 2013).

 

 

 

 

References

Wilmoth, J. M., & Ferraro, K. F. (2013). Gerontology: Perspectives and issues. New York: Springer.