Running Head: PARTNER RISK REDUCTION

Partner Risk Reduction Emily Kosmicki Ferris State University

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION Abstract

The RealAge assessment gives an age value after evaluating many lifestyle factors including but not limited to diet, exercise, and sleep schedule. An evaluation was then performed on a particular clients test results to establish goals and interventions to overall better RealAge assessment score. Test results included factors contributing to an overall older RealAge score as well as factors that contribute to a younger RealAge score. The evaluation included discussions on means to maintain desirable behaviors as well as eliminated non-desirable behaviors.

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION Partner Risk Reduction Many factors play a role in health maintenance and potential health outcomes. The RealAge test asked a series of questions to determine the clients real age. Questions included: diet, exercise, stress, lifestyle habits, and coping mechanisms. From the answers given, the real age was then determined. The client Adair McIntyre, AM, will be the focus of this assessment. AM is a 28 year old female. She is married with two children and is currently in an accelerated nursing program. After completing the assessment, AMs real-age was 21. To further understand how she can continue and what improvements can be made to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a further analysis of the test results will be discussed Assessment/Analysis/Wellness/Diagnosis The RealAge Assessment is a tool to help identify risk factors and how to better manage overall health. From AMs assessment, there were several indicators making her older than her chronological age. Also current health patterns are making her younger than her chronological age. Real Age assessment findings contributing to AMs older chronological age include: protecting the lungs, losing extra weight, easing financial worries, finding positive coping strategies, eating healthier and boosting cardio. Protecting the lungs involves working closely with doctors to stay on top of asthma and keeping an active role in asthma care by tracking symptoms, testing breathing, knowing medications, and avoiding triggers. Lose extra weight by following a weight loss program that is easy to stick with on a daily basis through wise food choices, support from family and friends, and adding exercise daily. Ease financial worries by

starting with a budget, putting away the plastic (credit card), and start putting some money away from each paycheck. Incorporating positive coping strategies in daily life that include reaching

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION

out to others for support, resting your mind through quiet time or sleep, and exploring spirituality can help relieve stress. Consumption of a healthy diet includes eating more grains, filling a plate with colorful veggies, eating more nuts, and diversifying ones daily diet. Integrating more cardiovascular activity by gradually working up to 3.5 hours per week will help score even younger (ShareCare, 2013). Real Age assessment findings contributing to AMs younger chronological age include: refraining from smoking, sticking with sleep schedule, engaging in a healthy sex life, staying in touch with friends, remaining positive, maintaining a sense of purpose, and eating breakfast on a daily basis. AM does not smoke and is rarely around others that do, therefore minimizing her exposure to second-hand smoke. Maintaining a sleep schedule by getting the right amount of sleep each night to feel well-rested the next day is a big component in health maintenance. Engaging in a healthy sex life is a great way to relieve stress. Staying in touch with friends is not only beneficial to social health but also physical health (cushion against stress, taming inflammation, etc.). A positive outlook on life can help with maintaining all aspects of health. By maintain a sense of purpose , AM is able to feel good about what she has done and what she has planned for the future which is favorable in maintaining health long-term. Eating breakfast daily is the perfect way to energize for the day as well as start filling daily nutrition quota (ShareCare, 2013). At this time, there are many factors affecting readiness for change for AM. These factors include balancing school, motherhood, and home-life. The Transtheoretical Model (TMM) is discussed by Maville and Huerta (2013), The processes of change are categorized as experiential (what the individual is experiencing in relation to self, the environment, and others)

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION

and behavioral (the process that enhances success for change) (p.43). AM must incorporate both components of the TMM to overall better her health which will then improve her real age score. Two wellness diagnosis that would be appropriate from the results of AMs RealAge assessment would be: readiness for enhanced knowledge and health-seeking behaviors R/T absence of aerobic exercise as a risk factor for CAD. Planning/Intervention The first wellness diagnosis of readiness for enhanced knowledge pertains to AM expressing an interest to better her overall health. As stated by Eldh et. al. (2006) expected outcomes can include: identifying new sources for enhancing knowledge in topic of interest, make use of all relevant resources to enhance knowledge, ask questions where new information needs clarification, and patient will begin practicing new behaviors gleaned from enhanced knowledge (p. 859). A goal to reach this desired outcome for AM would be: AM will complete weekly menus that follow healthy diet after food education meeting with registered dietician. As a nurse, it would be important to remind AM that diet changes can be made slowly over time to allow time for adjustment and higher compliance. After AMs meeting with the R.D. to plan weekly menus, the nurse could encourage AM to keep a food journal to ensure compliance to following recommended diet. The second wellness diagnosis increasing health-seeking behaviors R/T absence of aerobic exercise as a risk factor for CAD will include AM integrating cardio activities into her daily routine. As stated by Klieman et. al.(2006) expected outcomes to fulfill this diagnosis would be, patient will communicate understanding of benefits of aerobic exercise program, state guidelines for aerobic exercise, develop an exercise routine, state proper target heart rate to achieve during exercise, and demonstrate ability to take pulse accurately (p.842). A goal for

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION AM to integrate more cardio activities in her daily routine would be: AM will state at least 3 enjoyable cardio activities to be done on a weekly basis. The nurse can help AM reach this goal by setting up a weekly schedule to decide which time of day will be best for the chosen activities. For example, if AM chooses running outside the nurse may encourage her to do so before work as later in the day it would be too hot. Establishing a routine will allow AM to feel accountable for her own success in increasing her aerobic exercise on a weekly basis. Evaluation

Due to short time circumstances, evaluating the outcomes of the goals set for AM will not be achievable. If more time was allotted, the nurse would meet with AM on a weekly basis to track her progress on following the goals set. These sessions would include going over weekly menus as well as food journals and then duration of each activity throughout the week. After several meetings, if the nurse felt that AM reached her goals their meetings could change to monthly or even bi-monthly. Applying the Transtheoretical Model will play a key role with AM reaching her goals through making changes in her environment, self-perception, others, and accepting the need for change. If AM was unable to reach the goals set within a given amount of time, a re-evaluation would be necessary to establish new goals to meet desired outcomes.

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION References Eldh, A.C., et al, Conditions for patients participating and non-participation in health care, Nursing Ethics 13(5):503-14, September 2006. Klieman, L. (2006). Cardiovascular disease risk reduction in older adults. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 21(5), 27-29. Maville, J., & Huerta, C. (2013). Health Promotion in Nursing (Third ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

ShareCare. (2013). Real age test. Retrieved from http://www.sharecare.com/assessments/realagetest/completed?recs

PARTNER RISK REDUCTION