Simon KY Lee Seniors Care Home
Integration of all aspect of clinical therapy- Elder care
I was placed in SKYL senior home for my last UBC community rotation. I recognized my growth in dental hygiene clinical skills during this rotation. The life stage of elderly at SKYL puts them at an increased risk for oral diseases. These seniors often present medically complex needs; dementia, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, sensory impairments, and more health conditions are common in elders. The elders often have to depend on medications to manage their health conditions. The combination of these systematic conditions, the side effects of the medications, and the decreased ability of oral self-care leads to deterioration of oral health of these individuals. Many elders in SKYL do not speak English and have cognitive impairments, which further complicated the treatment.
The clinical therapy I provided was based on the identified needs of the elders and tailored to meet their individual needs. The treatment plan includes not only debridement and fluoride varnish application, but also health promotion, oral hygiene education, and referrals. Due to the complex nature of the combined systemic condition and the use of medication, medical history review process are more complex than the healthy clients that I mainly cared of at UBC clinic. I often needed to use my pharmacology knowledge to identify the medications prescribed to the elders. It was at the moment when I realized how critical the pharmacology class was in helping me provide a holistic dental hygiene care. By understanding the side effects of each medication, I was able to treatment plan accordingly.
Elder care is an interdisciplinary approach. I realized the importance of involving all healthcare disciplines in the care of elders and work collaboratively to improve elders’ quality of life. For example, the management of hyposalivation often facilitates interdisciplinary care since it involves lifestyle modification. Often, I need to educate care-aids and nurses about using salivary stimulants for elders with hyposalivation so that they could reinforce and help elders to use it daily. Also, the care often involves their family members. For elders with hyposalivation, for instance, it is important that family members understand to avoid mouth rinses that contains alcohol.
Through this experience, I understood that dental hygiene clinical therapy is about a continuing care that provides clients with preventive, therapeutic and supportive services. This experience expanded my skills and knowledge in caring for elders in long-term care facilities.
Reference:
- Plemons JM, Al-Hashimi I, Marek CL, American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Managing xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction: executive summary of a report from the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014;145(8):867.