Because the population as a whole is living longer, greater numbers of people are suffering illnesses that require ostomy surgery. Problems the senior new ostomate may face (which all of us can help with) include:
FEAR of increasing dependence and non-acceptance by family. Family acceptance and support is essential for complete rehabilitation.
UNPREPAREDNESS for a stoma. Surgery may often be done as an emergency procedure, and there has been little time for an older person to adjust to this change in body image. Often the older person is confused after surgery because the hospital routine is foreign; side rails are up and he/she is confined as though a child. It is in this condition that he or she first gets acquainted with their ostomy.
A HARD TO MANAGE STOMA. Particularly if created in emergency surgery, the stoma may be adjacent to a wound or done in haste and poorly positioned. Experienced ostomates and caregivers can and should work to teach the senior or new ostomate acceptance and self-care. It might take extra patience. Ability to learn does not diminish with age, but speed of performance and reaction time decline and it takes longer to learn new tasks. A word of advice to those working with new ostomates in a senior category: allow your student to learn one task well before proceeding to the next one.
Via: Johnstown UOA & GB News Review
& www.ostomy.evansville.net |
