BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

OBJECTIVES:
Describe basic human needs/physical,
emotional, spiritual
Identify Developmental tasks
associated with the aging process
Discuss age related conditions
Discuss general characteristics of aging
Discuss cultural diversity/ individuality

Describe Basic Human

Needs

Basic Human needs

are needs all persons
have. However
individuals meet
these needs in
different ways. Most
residents in long term
facilities will need
some assistance to
meet their basic
needs.

Ways to assist Residents

with Physical Needs

Food
making meal time
as pleasant as
possible
assist resident to
eat, feed resident
when possible
prepare foods such
as cutting meats,
opening cartons

Oxygen/Air
elevate HOB for
resident with breathing
problems or SOB
position in bed and
chairs to allow lung
expansion
assist resident to
ambulate
assist nurse with
oxygen therapy.

Meeting Resident Physical

needs

Water:
Offer fluids
frequently
keep water
containers within
reach
Keep water fresh,
other liquids at
correct
temperatures.

Elimination:
Assist resident in
toileting needs
provide privacy
be matter of fact
in response to
incontinent
residents

Meeting Physical Needs

Rest:
Assist in preparation
for sleep
recognize changes in
patterns for sleep

Activity and Exercise

Encourage ROM in
ADLs
ambulate, transfer
and move properly
Encourage activity

Stimulation
Encourage resident
to participate in
activities
Encourage residents
to talk and listen
carefully
Do not isolate
resident. Place in
area where they can
observe activity.

Meeting Physical needs

Sexuality
Encourage use of
male/female clothing,
cosmetics, hair styles
to maintain sexual
identity.
Provide privacy to
couples expressing
intimacy needs,
knock before entering

Respond
appropriately to
resident who is
masturbating,
(take resident to
room, dont
shame or be
judgmental.

Ways to Assist Resident

with Safety and Security
Needs

Safety
Keep area safe and
free of hazards
Show residents how
to do activities safely
keep call light within
reach
know how to do tasks
be alert to safety. Use
TB and brakes

Security
respect residents
belongings
orient resident to
new surroundings
reassure resident
welcome family
and friends
provide privacy,
knock on doors

Ways to Assist Love and

Belonging Needs

Caring about someone

listen to resident, encourage talk of past

show interest in residents family
encourage contact with other residents
read social histories in resident charts
some residents may have significant
others who are not family members
take time with resident, pay attention

Love and Belonging Needs

Being cared about

Show interest in resident

touch residents in a kind and gentle manner
be kind and friendly to visitors
inform family and residents of activities
offered
be patient and understanding
treat residents as you would like to be
treated

Ways to Meet Self Esteem

Needs

Sense of Identity
call resident by preferred name
include resident and family in
discussions concerning resident care
give and respect choices made by
residents
respect differences in culture,
heredity, interests and values

Meeting Self- Esteem

Needs

Feeling Important, worthwhile

praise accomplishments of residents

acknowledge residents at all times
respect resident property
talk to resident as an adult
encourage resident to do as much as
abble for themselves
Give residents simple responsibilities and
tasks to feel important

Meeting Self- Actualization

Needs

The extras in life

encourage hobbies
praise accomplishments and strengths

Spirituality

respect religious beliefs

provide privacy for clergy visit.
Handle with care religious symbols
refer clergy requests to Nurse in Charge

Describe Developmental
Tasks

Theorists suggest that as one matures

from infancy to old age, persons pass
through several stages. During each
stage developmental tasks must be
accomplished in order to mature in a
healthy way. Developmental tasks are
social, emotional, and psychological
growth experiences.

Growth & Development

Occurs in an orderly pattern simple
to complex.
Is continuous from infancy to adult
Affects all body parts
Rate varies from person to person
Is a total process that affects
people, physically, mentally,
emotionally, spiritually.

Early adulthood
developmental tasks

Age frame is from about late teens to

thirty
establish personal and economic
independence
forming a support group of friends and others
developing work skills/career
making a commitment in a relationship
establishing a family
managing optimal healthy lifestyles

Middle Adulthood tasks

Age frame from about the thirties to the

mid sixties
expand personal and social involvement and
responsibility
adjusting to physiological and emotion
changes
reaching and maintaining job satisfaction/
preparing for retirement
observing maturation of children
managing chronic health conditions

Late Adulthood Tasks

Age time frame

from mid sixties to
death. Aging is
influenced by
heredity, nutrition,
exercise, lifestyle
choices such as
smoking, and life
long adjustments
to change.

Young-Old Tasks

Age frame 65-74 years

If healthy may not experience ages from
middle years
beginning social and emotional adjustments
to decreasing physical strengths and changes
in body such as vision and hearing limitations
adjusting to retirement with loss of job
related activities
adjusting to changing family roles with
children, spouse and grandchildren

Middle Old and Old- Old

Middle old, 75-84

Adjusting to more
chronic conditions,
such as arthritis
adjusting to losses
of abilities to drive
car
losses of friends and
siblings
need to accept lifes
experiences

Old-Old, 85 and older

Accept physical
limitations and
dependence on others
acceptance of losses
(deaths and activities)
acceptance to
alternate living
conditions, such as
assisted living or long
term care

Age Related Conditions

Aging is a gradual
process/ not illness
Most residents have
experienced some age
related changes or
illness since late 40s
or early 50s.
Due to gradual
changes and
adaptations most
conditions are not
considered problems

After age 75
elderly average at
least 5 chronic
conditions that
limit some
activities.

Describe Normal Aging

Integumentary
System
Skin, hair, nails,
sweat and oil
glands

Occurring changes
Skin becomes
fragile,tears easily,
loss of fatty tissue
hair thins and grays
nails thicken and
harden
less oil and
perspiration
produced

Describe Normal Aging

Integumentary
System
Skin, hair, nails,
sweat and oil
glands

Occurring changes
Skin becomes
fragile,tears easily,
loss of fatty tissue
hair thins and grays
nails thicken and
harden
less oil and
perspiration
produced

Integumentary system

Results
skin is less resistant
to injury
skin bruises easily
skin is drier
skin is slow to heal
body temperature
regulation is difficult
decreased
sensations occur

Nursing Assistant
responsibilities:
use lotion and
other skin care
products
prevent pressure
areas and other
injuries
select appropriate
clothing

Musculo-Skeletal (bones
and muscles)

Changes
bones become
porous and brittle
muscles reduce in
size
joints and
ligaments become
less flexible

Results

muscles lose strength

fractures occur
Range of Motion is
decreased

NAR responsibilities
encourage exercise
and good nutrition
balance activity and
rest

Digestive (Stomach and

Intestines)

Changes
Slowing down of
system
decrease in taste
saliva reduced
teeth missing
(poor fitting
denture)

Results
decrease in appetite
difficulty chewing
and swallowing
constipation

NAR responsibilities:
watch for choking
encourage fluids,
small bites, and to
eat slower

Circulatory (Heart -blood

vessels)

Changes
heart does not
pump as
effectively
blood vessels
become less
elastic
heart disease is
common in elderly

Results
tires easily
elevated blood
pressure
dizzy when changing
positions

NAR responsibilities
provide rest times
encourage exercise
change positions

Respiratory

Changes
decreased
exchange of
oxygen and
carbon dioxide
lungs lose
elasticity
cough reflex is
weak

Results
deep breathing
more difficult
susceptible to
infections
tires easily and SOB

NAR
Responsibilities
pace activities
prevent infections

Urinary ( Kidney - bladder)

Changes
kidney function
reduced
bladder elasticity
lessened
females have
stress incontinence
males have
prostate
enlargement

Results
susceptible to UTIs
more urgent need to
void
difficulty and
incontinence in
voiding

NAR responsibilities
encourage fluids
follow B&B program
good peri care

Nervous System

Changes
nerve cells
decrease in number
blood flow to brain
is decreased
diseases may cause
abnormalities and
personality changes

Results
slower reaction to
stimuli
forgetfulness

NAR responsibilities
Provide adequate
time to complete
activities
be alert to safety
needs

Sensory (eyes and ears)

Changes

Results
reduced vision and
hearing
eyes dry, irritated
impacted ear wax
problems with glare

gradual slowing
down of all senses
tears and earwax
reduced

NAR responsibilities

speak clear, slowly

face resident
be alert to safety

Digestive (Stomach and

Intestines)

Changes
Slowing down of
system
decrease in taste
saliva reduced
teeth missing
(poor fitting
denture)

Results
decrease in appetite
difficulty chewing
and swallowing
constipation

NAR responsibilities:
watch for choking
encourage fluids,
small bites, and to
eat slower

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Changes:
Females: Menstrual cycles ceases,
vaginal wall become thinner and drier
Males: scrotum is less firm, prostate
gland may enlarge.
NAR responsibility: Clean Perineums,
watch for signs of infections.

Endocrine system (glands)

Changes:
Less insulin produced, may result in
diabetes
Weight gain/loss
Increased feeling of nervousness

Nars should report any behavior

or physical changes to nurse.

Describe Needs of Family

Definition of Family:
Two or more people have chosen to
live together and share interest, roles,
resources commitment and love.

Family emotions include, anxiety,

fear, sadness, anger, relief,
confusion

ROLE of NAR

Nursing assistants need to

acknowledge family members,
have a non judgmental attitude, be
patient, be sensitive, quietly listen,
include family when appropriate in
cares. BE PLEASANT!!!

RESPECT CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
CLAS stands for culturally and
linguistically appropriate services.
Developed in 2000 by the Dept of
health and human services.
Clas focuses on health care
organizations, and also standards
for how health care should be
delivered.

Personal guidelines
Think about your personal belief
system
Examine how personal culture
influences your own behavior
Dont stereotype
Ask patients about their culture
Attend staff development activities
and develop cultural awareness.

Cultural influences

Personal space
Some cultures will not permit members
of the opposite sex to provide cares
Some prefer distance during cares

Gestures/ eye contact

Gestures may have different meanings
Eye contact may be offensive

Cultural Influences

Pain:
Some demonstrate pain by being very
emotional
Some view displays of pain as being weak

Personal hygiene:
Bathing may not be done routinely/ or may
be very frequent
Women may not want body hair removed

Cultural influences

Clothing:
Men may cover their heads
Women may cover their heads and only
have face and hands in view

Health Practices:

May want cultural remedies

May want herbs, spices, teas or wraps
Check to see if this interferes with
treatment

Common Characteristics
of Normal Aging

There are many

myths about
aging. A myth is
an unproven idea
or belief such as
old people cant
learn.

Facts about Aging

Aging is a natural process, begins at birth
basic needs of the elderly are the same as
any age group
Individuals age at different rates
aging process is influenced by lifestyle,
nutrition, wellness, mental and emotional
health
Most elderly live healthy, independent lives

Aging Facts
Most elderly have satisfying
relationships with family and friends
Most elderly enjoy retirement
Many elderly are involved in
community and volunteer work
Many elderly have a deep sense of
spirituality and feeling of peace
Aging does not occur at a certain age

Home Health Aide

Unit Two
Basic Human Needs

Basic Human Needs

Objectives:
Discuss Life Span Growth and
Development
Discuss Family Dynamics
Define Family Stress

Growth and Development

Growth:
Refers to physical
changes in the body
growth begins at
conception and
continues to full
physical maturity
Physical changes in
adulthood are
influences by
nutrition, lifestyle, etc.

Development:
Refers to social,
emotional, and
psychological
changes that occur
throughout life.
Its influenced by life
experiences,
individual behavior
Moves from simple
to complex.

Family

A family is a group of people tied

together by common interests and
concern about the well being and
needs of members. Traditional Family
usually refers to a married man and
women and children. Today there are
many family units containing single
parents, extended families, and groups
of unrelated friends.

Family Dynamics

The way individuals

in a family relate to
and interact with
each other is known
as family dynamics
Each family has
individual needs.
Families have their
own rules related to
how they operate as
a group.

Each person has a

role in the group, or
several roles.
Usually roles are
learned from older
family members.
There may not be a
role model for healthy
development
In a stressed family
children may have an
adult role.

Home Health Aide

HHAs need to be
aware of family
dynamics and how
it affects the client.
Some family
dynamics may not
feel comfortable for
you. Discuss your
feelings with your
supervisor.

Define Family Stress

Family Stress occurs when one or more

events or behaviors affects the normal
functioning of the family. Some events
might include:
Chemical dependency/ substance abuse
Loss of income due to illness or
termination. This effects living
arrangements, nutritional need, insurance
coverage, self esteem, everyday activities.

Child Abuse

Child abuse is any

act that causes harm
or pain to someone
who is less then 18
years old.
Harm can be physical,
emotional, or sexual.
Includes situations
that pose a risk for
harm

Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illnesses are

those diseases that
last for a long time,
often the remainder
of life.
Places stress on
entire family due to
loss of role in family
unit
Often places financial
stress.

Developmental Disabilities

Any condition which interferes with

normal growth and development is a
disability.
May interfere with the way a person
speaks, learns, or completes ADLs
Usually as a result of heredity, or birth
injury. (cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol,MR.)
Places stress on family due to health care
costs and special services needed.

Children's Response to
Family Stress

Children may not

get adequate
attention and
support for normal
growth and
development.
Child may withdraw
or have untypical
behaviors.

Child fears and

anxiety will
depend on age.
They may think a
parent will leave
or never get
better.

Untypical Behaviors

Child may become

over dependent on
others and
demanding
May not follow
normal routines,
such as nap time.
Regresses to earlier
stage.(incontinent)
Physical complaints