Buga-ay, Therese Margaret B.

BSN-4C

REACTION PAPER: Social Isolation and loneliness among Older Adults in the context of COVID-19, A
Global Pandemic

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an overall decrease in daily activities which
most members of the population have found frustrating or disheartening. The activities that were
disrupted often involved activities that required travel, leaving home,being in a large group, or
activities that needed personal engagement in a particular way. Many people, even schools,
demonstrated modification of activities such as using technology to communicate with students and
families. Some facilities such as gyms would offer their client in doing workout classes online.

The pandemic resulted in a complete loss of experiences as individuals reported several

canceled vacations, retirement plans, leisure activities, and family events. Many people had
experienced difficulties with communication and performing tasks during COVID-19 for how limited
the ability to socially interact outside. When discussing loneliness, mental health, or other changes
during the pandemic, families will be more concerned for other family members especially the
elderly, friends, and society rather than concern for their own self. Families of older adults will
express concerns with access to healthcare and that they could not accompany their family members
during an emergency or routine visit. Also, most household members had experienced difficulty with
changes in their work or family roles where they could not support others. Most would also express
anxiety about exposure risks and feelings of uncertainty, frustration, sadness, concern for the high risk
population, and even concern for the future of the younger generation.

Despite the increased risks many older adults face during the COVID-19, the pandemic
provides opportunities to expand resources to support older adults. Optimizing social participation in
particular provides opportunities to preserve and enhance older adult’s ability to be vital members of
the community. Ultimately, social isolation and loneliness can be so harmful to physical health,
mental health, and quality of life. Social participation and social connection are important in the
promotion of health and wellness of older adults even a midst a global pandemic.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Due to etiological factors, changes occur in the proteins of the nerve cells of the cerebral
cortex resulting to the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and plaques. This accumulation would
lead to granulovascular degeneration resulting to loss of cholinergic nerve cells that will then result to
loss of memory, function, and cognition.

Predisposing Factors Precipitating Factors

Familial, Early-Onset AD Sporadic, Late-Onset AD
- Age (commonly affects older adults) - ApoE4 (Apolipoprotein E)
- Sex (higher incidence in women than in men) - APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein)
- Family History of AD (higher risk to AD if first degree - Presenilin Mutations
relatives have known diagnosis) - Environmental Factors
- Lifestyle

Sleep circuits dysregulation Brain beta-amyloid deposition

Sleep wake cycle disruption Increased Synaptic Activity

Tau-protein
hyperphosphorylation

Cognitive Impairment and

Dementia Synaptic Dysfunction Neuron Death
 HEALTH TEACHING PLAN

Medication Exercise Treatment Hygiene Outpatient Diet

GALANTAMINE Extended period Instruct • Instruct • Educate client According to
of bed rest can significant significant others to importance of articles, patients
C (Classification) weaken the other to follow to maintain a follow up with Alzheimer's
Acetylcholinesterase body muscles of treatment plan cleanliness and check up and or dementia do
Inhibitors the patient. for faster hazard free regular not need a special
Also, medication recovery. environment to consultations diet. As with
H (How is it effective) alone can not promote safety with healthcare anyone, eating a
Increases acetylcholine from totally aid the • Advise while Patient is providers. well-balanced,
surviving presynaptic nerve body to prevent significant on bed. nutritious diet is
terminals by modulating the further other take note • Inform client important for
Nicotinic acetylcholine complications. all the • Encourage SO to consult overall health. As
receptor. Glutamate and Currently, prescribed to assist or healthcare the disease
serotonin levels may exercise is the medication and provide proper provider if progresses, loss of
increase. only known follow doctor's oral hygiene to conditions appetite and
intervention order. the patient. worsen. weight loss may
E (Exact administration) that can have become concerns.
4 mg every 12 hours orally lasting effects • Encourage • If the client is • Advise the In such cases,
on individual significant unable to bath client to have healthcare
C (Client teaching) functioning, other to himself, provide adequate rest provider may
Inform patient and both in change the bed bath to the and avoid heavy suggest
significant others on the promoting lifestyle of the patient and strenuous supplements
adverse effects of taking in neural recovery patient. change clean activities. between meals to
medication and in reducing clothes so that add calories.
secondary • Instruct patient is • Instruct client Staying hydrated
K (Keys to give meds safely) complications. significant comfortable. to avoid drinking may also be a
Instruct client to inform There is no other to have of alcoholic problem.
nurse for history of “magic pill” that follow checkup • Instruct client beverages and
hypersensitivity reaction. can replace all and diagnostic to bathe cigarette • Encourage fluid
Instruct client and significant the benefits of tests to have regularly to smoking. intake by offering
other to report any signs of exercise. Deep further prevent invasive small cups of
allergic reaction and breathing examination. microorganisms • Instruct family water or other
discomfort. exercises are (bathing can also members or liquids throughout
DONEPEZIL very important. • A supportive help in significant other the day or foods
Stronger care among regulation of to monitor with high water
C (Classification) breathing family body client's vital content, such as
Cholinesterase Inhibitors muscles help members or temperature) status at home fruit, soups,
keep the air sacs with significant milkshakes and
H (How is it effective) in the lungs other. • Soiled linens • Instruct smoothies.
Reversible open as well as should be patient or
Acetylcholinesterase help prevent • Participate in change to clean significant • Provide a
inhibitor; increases pneumonia. One an linens others to seek balanced diet with
acetylcholine way to do these environment medical a variety of foods.
concentrations, which in exercises is to that could help • Dry areas attention if any Offer vegetables,
turn enhances cholinergic use a device promote between toes problem occurs fruits, whole
neurotransmission called an healing and and fingers after such as grains, low-fat
incentive restoration of bathing. unresponsivenes dairy products and
E (Exact administration) spirometer (IS) health. s or loss of lean protein
5 mg PO every bed time • Put lotion on consciousness, foods.
(may increase to 10 mg/day • Encourage • Avoiding dry skin, except muscle stiffness,
after 4-6weeks) client to engage situations or between your difficulty of • Limit foods with
in light physical environmental toes. Dry skin breathing or any high saturated fat
C (Client teaching) activity. conditions that may crack open. serious problem and cholesterol.
Inform client on importance could cause with the patient. Some fat is
of taking medication on the • Strenuous stress to the • Clean the essential for
scheduled time. activities should patient. fingernails and • Encourage the health — but not
be limited until toenails daily. significant all fats are equal.
K (Keys to give meds safely) client displays Keep them short others to Go light on fats
normal levels of for safety of the provide that are bad for
Instruct client and significant vital signs. client. necessary heart health, such
other to report any support for the as butter, solid
hypersensitivity reactions • Educate • Keep a sanitary patient. shortening, lard
and presence of bleeding. patient that the environment to and fatty cuts of
best exercise prevent • Instruct meats.
depends on his microorganisms patient or SO to
state of health. that my cause comply in proper • Cut down on
The doctor may infections or intake of refined sugars.
prescribe further medication, right Often found in
physical therapy complications. frequency, right processed foods,
to help you medicine and refined sugars
regain strength, • Educate client right dose. contain calories
flexibility, range of importance of but lack vitamins,
of motion and proper hand • Advise the minerals and fiber.
endurance. The washing and patient to limit Note that in the
patient must disinfecting physical later-stages of
remember and frequently activities if pain Alzheimer's, if
learn when to touched surfaces is present. appetite loss is a
stop if he feels to prevent problem, adding
pain or spread of sugar to foods
uncomfortable. microorganisms. may encourage
eating.

• Limit foods with

high sodium and
use less salt. Too
much sodium
affects blood
pressure. As an
alternative,
instruct client and
significant other
to use spices or
herbs to season
food.