PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
NURSING 102

Observational/Participatory Experience with the “Well Elderly”

Objective: Increase sensitizing activities of beginning nursing students which will foster
awareness and positive attitude toward the elderly prior to geriatric clinical
experiences/practices.

Purposes:
1. To study the physical cognitive, psycho-social and emotional patterns of
individual client(s).
2. To assist students to increase their objectivity in assessing the elderly.
3. To assist students to sharpen their observational and recording skills.

Methodology:
1. Each student is to observe and record behaviors and actions of his/her client.
2. What to observe and record? Initially any situation (interaction or transaction) on
the part of the individual that seems significant or interesting to you that will give
you a picture of the client in several situations.
3. When and where to observe? Try to get a variety of situations which display a
wide sampling of the behavior of the individual client so as to assess his/her
physical, cognitive, psycho-social and emotion patterns.
4. Time involved – 4 or 5 interactions or transactions.
5. Characteristics of a good anecdote are:
a. It gives the date, place and situation in which the action occurred –
(Setting).
b. It describes the actions of the individual, the reactions of the other people
involved, and the responses of the individual to these reactions.
c. It quotes what is said to the individual and by the individual during the
interaction or transaction.
d. The description of the client should be extensive enough to cover the
situation, interaction or transaction – (or behavioral moments in the life of
the individual).
e. The anecdotal recordings should include:
1) Biographical factors, sex, age, limitations, etc.
2) Relationships with family, friends, pets, etc.
3) Social and cultural backgrounds.
4) Self development – concept and feelings about him/herself.
5) Completion of the assessment form.
 PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING NURSING 1020

ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR WELL-ELDERLY

STUDENT: ____________________________________

Client’s Initials: ________ Age: _______ Date: ________

DIRECTIONS: Circle and fill-in as appropriate.

SUBJECTIVE/OBJECTIVE OBSERVTIONS & CONCLUSIONS

I. Posture/Skeletal
stiff and rigid
loose/relaxed
curvature of spine
bends forward
bends backward
walking gait (smooth, uneven)
shuffle
wears supportive devices
a. special shoes
b. braces
arm_________
leg__________
c. walkers
d. wheelchair
e. walking canes
II. Skin
turgor
wrinkles
ecchymosis
III. Communication/Senses
Vision
eye contact
wears eye glasses
wide open stares
squinting
Hearing

impaired hearing
wears hearing aid
SUBJECTIVE/OBJECTIVE OBSERVATIONS & CONCLUSIONS PAGE 2
IV. Communication/Senses

Teeth

Missing teeth
Dentures
full_________
partial_______

Awareness

Attention Span
Level of Interest
Smile
Sad/Depressed
Frown/Hostile
Eye Contact yes no

Handshake

Firm
Flabby

V. Activities of Daily Living

Dress (appropriate for season & activity)

Grooming
Body and breath odors

VI. Activity and Rest

Energetic
Weak/Lethargic
Overweight
Underweight
Normal weight

VIII. Family History