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Teaching Older Ostomy Patients - Moldable Technology Eases the Fear Factor
STATEMENT OF CLINICAL PROBLEM: In Ocean County, NJ, the population of adults aged 62 and over is 24.9% - the elderly are taking care of the elderly.1 A new ostomy is perceived with overwhelming initial fear that it will be too difficult to manage because of dexterity deficits. Families fear that they will be forced to send their loved one to a long term care facility permanently. A highly anxious person may not be able to effectively process information.2
DESCRIPTION OF PAST MANAGEMENT: Cut-to-fit wafers were the only type of ostomy wafer available to the new ostomy patient in this acute care facility. During the initial education of the older adult and caregiver, a good portion of the time had to be spent overcoming a negative response to the use of scissors. Patients also felt anxiety because the skin barrier had to be cut to the right size in order to hug the stoma.
CURRENT CLINICAL APPROACH: With the moldable wafer, patients can learn and demonstrate how easily the wafer can be molded to the correct size noting that even if it is too large it will conform to the shape of the stoma covering gaps. The response to this has been an exciting “We can do that!”, “That’s not so bad” and “I thought it would be so much harder!” The rest of the education session flows easily with a positive attitude.
PATIENT OUTCOMES: The moldable wafer’s ease of use has helped decrease anxiety, and created a positive response from the patient and caregiver, allowing them to learn the skills needed to meet this home care challenge.
CONCLUSIONS: This new technology helped to restore hope for independence and keeping loved ones at home.
STATEMENT OF CLINICAL PROBLEM: In Ocean County, NJ, the population of adults aged 62 and over is 24.9% - the elderly are taking care of the elderly.1 A new ostomy is perceived with overwhelming initial fear that it will be too difficult to manage because of dexterity deficits. Families fear that they will be forced to send their loved one to a long term care facility permanently. A highly anxious person may not be able to effectively process information.2
DESCRIPTION OF PAST MANAGEMENT: Cut-to-fit wafers were the only type of ostomy wafer available to the new ostomy patient in this acute care facility. During the initial education of the older adult and caregiver, a good portion of the time had to be spent overcoming a negative response to the use of scissors. Patients also felt anxiety because the skin barrier had to be cut to the right size in order to hug the stoma.
CURRENT CLINICAL APPROACH: With the moldable wafer, patients can learn and demonstrate how easily the wafer can be molded to the correct size noting that even if it is too large it will conform to the shape of the stoma covering gaps. The response to this has been an exciting “We can do that!”, “That’s not so bad” and “I thought it would be so much harder!” The rest of the education session flows easily with a positive attitude.
PATIENT OUTCOMES: The moldable wafer’s ease of use has helped decrease anxiety, and created a positive response from the patient and caregiver, allowing them to learn the skills needed to meet this home care challenge.
CONCLUSIONS: This new technology helped to restore hope for independence and keeping loved ones at home.