Program goal + AI: E8

Can prevent the decline of ADL and deterioration that are characteristic of elderly people at home and maintain and improve QOL by providing effective interventions that make use of the characteristics of home-visit nursing to home-aged elderly who have developed lymphedema

Components

Intervention period

First Section

From after the introduction decision to the start of the intervention.

Second Section

From the start of the intervention to 1 month later.

Third Section

From the start of the intervention to 3 months later.

(Implement at first visit or first lymphedema care).

(Implement at a visit after around 1 month).

(Implement at a visit after around 3 months).

Specific goals

- Understand the background of the introduction of lymphedema care at home and consider ways to meet diverse needs.

- Determine care contents and methods possible within the visit time.

- Respond to the patient’s various needs and create a foothold for building trust.

- Consider and provide guidance for the aggravating factors of lymphedema in daily life and for specific improvements in accordance with lifestyle.

- Understand the strengths of the patient and the disadvantages of being elderly and devise care methods that can maximize their strengths.

- Provide guidance that motivates the person to continue life with attention to prevention of the deterioration of lymphedema.

- Devise and practice sustainable care methods with emphasis on the life of the person.

- Coordinate the support of multiple occupations, families, and surrounding people to relieve anxiety during periods without a home nurse present.

Elements of lymphedema care contents and methods

Targeting and responding to the needs of a wide variety of subjects

* Understanding of the physical condition: Know the location and extent of the underlying disease and lymphedema and assess the care contents and methods.

* Acceptance of lymphedema and thoughts about care.

* Know the process of introducing home-visit nursing and the care that the patient wants for home-visit nursing and assess the priority of care.

* Evaluate changes caused by an intervention by measuring the circumferences of lymphedema sites.

* Present points to keep in mind according to the site and severity of lymphedema and consider implementation goals together with the patient.

* Give specific guidance on points to keep in mind in daily life in order to give priority to the care desired by the patient during the visit.

* Devise care methods that are possible with home-visit nursing, since the same methods as used in hospitals are difficult in terms of time.

* Evaluate changes due to interventions by measuring the circumferences of lymphedema sites.

* Consider methods that allow users to recognize and express increases or decreases in the severity of lymphedema.

* Provide information about appropriate care methods according to the severity of lymphedema, have the patient choose them, and make compromises with respect to the care desired by the patient.