Theories are essential for introducing and advancing various professional practices, hence the need for their evaluation to determine their relevance, as well as potential applications. In clinical practice, multiple models, theories, and frameworks associated with the evidence-based practice are advocated (Lynch et al., 2018). These ideas and concepts form the bases for execution of new and advanced practices, thus minimizing the overwhelming circumstances caused by professional unfamiliarity. However, basing the new change on theories and models improves conceptual understanding, making the execution process easier. Likewise, experts become more confident in their knowledge and practice through the application. Theory and learning are central to improving professional experiences and efficiency as they inform conduct, corporate culture, and duties. These concepts are relevant to community health practices, including in advancing family care models, leading to a safe and healthy lifestyle.
The Outcome of Practice in Nursing That Can Be Improved
For the aged individuals, who are above 65 years, avoidance of stair climbing is among the functional activities that are encouraged in a community setup. According to Goes et al. (2020), the level of functionality in individuals reduces with age. This physiological aspect is related to either the body’s pathological or physiological response in relation to normal aging, as well as the disease process. The inability of the geriatrics to use multi-story buildings may be a disadvantage to this group of people.
Accidents related to falls are among the leading causes of mortalities and morbidities for community members aged 65 and above. Age-related accidents are increasingly contributing to a high percentage of old adults visiting emergency departments (Jacobs, 2016). According to a report produced by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control in 2016, an estimated 30.000 individuals aged 65 years old and more succumb to falls (Burns & Kakara, 2018).Approximately, one out of four elderly individuals in the US report of fall incident each year (Burns & Kakara, 2018). Of the 30.000 deaths, approximately 9% occur while using steps or stairs (Burns & Kakara, 2018). Among the common injuries resulting from falls are fractures, contusions, lacerations, sprains, and internal injuries. Most deaths are caused by trauma associated with the neck and head.
Since a significant number of seniors live or prefer story buildings, they are subject to scenarios that put their health and safety at risk. Musculoskeletal conditions that occur due to degeneration of body systems with age also limit the usage of stairs with time. In events of emergency, the elderly may find it difficult to use stairs leading to further complications. Hence, the use of stairs poses a considerable safety risk to populations, especially the elderly.
The Concept in Watson’s Theory of Caring That Could Represent or Include the Outcome
One of the ways of explaining the nursing practice is through the caring theory. In support of this concept, Jean Watson explained the caring attitude through the “Caritas” process (Clark, 2016). According to the theory, care for authentic patients has a therapeutic effect and results in good health outcomes. Nursing entails curative factors that lead to human satisfaction, given the various needs. The practical aspect assists in enhancing the health of individuals, families, or communities at large. This concept’s attitude is perceived as a virtue from which nursing exists in society, hence transmitting it to other generations.
Watson’s theory describes the values and scope for nursing practice, as well as the guiding principles. In Watson’s theory, caring is perceived as inclusive, expansive, and circular (Norman et al., 2016). This concept expounds on the helpful aspects, such as doing good for self and others, including individual clients, families, or communities at large, and surroundings. Through thoughtful practices based on self, others, or the environment, individuals learn to change destructive cultures. The outcome in the picture involves reducing the use of stairs/steps amongst the elderly in the community. This intervention will contribute mainly to a reduction of fall cases, related injuries, hospital visits, and associated deaths.
A Practice That Can Be Changed or Implemented That May Influence the Outcome
As the elderly population increases, health care providers are tasked with addressing the rising number of morbidities and mortalities resulting from falls. Health care practitioners should be guided by the fact that some of these deaths are preventable despite the significant number of the affected individuals (Jacobs, 2016). Therefore, related prevention measures should be given priority when discussing the risks facing the seniors.
Various practices can be implemented towards minimizing staircase related accidents, especially for the elderly. Modification of the environment, including structure, floor surface texture, visual cues, such as lighting, placement of handrails, and the removal of distractors, play a significant role in reducing elderly hurts (Jacobs, 2016). Programs that promote education by eliminating risky behavior while at stairs create awareness for the need for proper structuring of buildings, especially when the elderly are involved. Placing rails on both sides of stairways increases stability. The elderly can also be educated on the importance of simple precautions, such as ensuring that lights are on when walking around, especially at night. Enlightening the aged regarding the use of stair rails will also improve the outcomes.
The Concept in Watson’s Theory of Caring That Includes the Practice
Caring involves changing self, others, and the culture of groups or environments. In the efforts to bringing change, engaging in actual teaching-learning experience contributes to wholeness. The concept of teaching-learning includes providing education on the ways to prevent stairs falls among the seniors. It is the care providers’ work to enlighten society members on the risks involved among the elderly while using the stairs. They should also ensure the public understands the recommended structure of stairs that decreases the aged risks of falling. The buildings with inappropriate structures will have to be renovated for the good of the aging. By applying the teaching-learning concept, a trustable and authentic caring relationship will be created and sustained between care providers and community members.
How the Two Concepts Will Be Measured with Their Operational Definitions
Caring entails actions taken by an individual or a nurse that lead to therapeutic effects and good health outcomes. It revolves around helping those who are considered vulnerable, ill, and unhealthy to better their conditions (Clark, 2016). Consequently, it leads to the satisfaction of the needs of specific individuals or society. In reducing falls amongst the elderly, this concept is measured through the actual number of individuals in society who avoid the associated injuries. By reducing falls, as well as associated morbidities and mortalities, the level of care and efficiency will be established. On the other hand, programs associated with self-awareness and learning are likely to shape the activities and efficiency of operational, as well as community-based interventions. Behavioral change in relation to safety, functional capacity, and best health practices is deemed essential for better care outcomes.
A Proposition between the Two Concepts
The teaching-learning concept involves the impaction of knowledge to others to promote anticipated change. The concept is measured through how much individuals execute the change (Norman et al., 2016). In structuring stairs, the percentage of the subjects who would yield to education and implement proper stair structures will help achieve positive outcomes. Teaching-learning is the best way to care for the elderly as it effectively reduces staircases-related accidents.
The establishment of an appropriate teaching-learning model is instrumental in achieving positive results, given the demographic variance. On the same note, due to heterogeneity and complexity associated with aging, it is imperative to ensure that the seniors, as well as family nurses or other caregivers, collaborate in monitoring and managing not only health conditions but also lifestyle. The aim is to improve the safety of the aging members of society by helping them to identify their functional capacities and learn appropriate behavior for self-care (Goes et al., 2020). The seniors are likely to achieve better health and prevent unnecessary nursing needs by implementing intervention strategies, given their functional states.
Conclusion
The use of theory has proved to be the best way to introduce, implement, and sustain practices. Stairway fall among the elderly is rated prevalent and injurious health-related accidents. It is a severe global public health concern with economic implications. Stairway falls are rated amongst the leading cause of injuries and related morbidities and mortalities amongst the elderly. Such concepts as caring and teaching-learning in Watson’s theory can be applied in planning, implementing, and evaluating practices geared towards minimizing these injuries.
References
Burns, E., & Kakara, R. (2018). Deaths from falls among persons aged ≥65 Years — the United States, 2007–2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(18), 509−514.
Clark, C. S. (2016). Watson’s human caring theory: Pertinent transpersonal and humanities concepts for educators. Humanities, 5(2), 21.
Goes, M., Lopes, M. J., Oliveira, H., Fonseca, C., & Marôco, J. (2020). A nursing care intervention model for elderly people to ascertain general profiles of functionality and self-care needs. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1770.
Jacobs, J. V. (2016). A review of stairway falls and stair negotiation: Lessons learned and future needs to reduce injury. Gait & Posture, 49, 159−167.
Lynch, E. A., Mudge, A., Knowles, S., Kitson, A. L., Hunter, S. C., & Harvey, G. (2018). “There is nothing as practical as a good theory”: A pragmatic guide for selecting theoretical approaches for implementation projects. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 857.
Norman, V., Rossillo, K., & Skelton, K. (2016). Creating healing environments through the theory of caring. AORN Journal, 104(5), 401−409.