Elderly Interview
cRunning head: ELDER INTERVIEW
Elder Interview
Jorge Fernandez
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing
NURS 3313 – Care of the Healthy Aging Adult
Elder Interview
General Appearance
Normal Signs of Aging Mrs. L is a 64 year old female Caucasian who lives in West Texas. Her hair is naturally gray, but she dyes it, and appears thin and evenly distributed on her head. There are no signs of baldness but her hair is thinning. Tabloski (2006) states “the hair of a older person looks gray or white due to a decrease in the number of functioning melanocytes and the replacement of pigmented strands of hair with non-pigmented ones” (p. 335). Mrs. L’s skin is thin and pale in color. No other parts of her body were visible. Mrs. L is wearing trifocal glasses. She states that she started wearing them when she was 45 years old. According to Tabloski (2006), “Visual acuity tends to diminish gradually after 50 years of age and then more rapidly after the age of 70” (p. 387). She self admitted to being overweight. She appears alert, oriented, and admits that she has become more patient and tolerant. She states that she has back problems.
Appearance of Dress Mrs. L is appropriately dressed for the season and for the interview. Her outfit matches and appears clean and neat. Her hygiene and hair are appropriate. The client is capable of dressing her self.
Hygienic Practice The client showers at night and seems to have recently bathed. Mrs. L’s morning starts at 0530. She has her coffee, breakfast, and then prepares for work. She has clean clothes, teeth, and fingernails. Her hair is neatly combed and styled. Nothing in her appearance indicates that she has any problems performing her hygienic route regularly.
Demeanor
Mrs. L seemed happy and eager to answer our questions. She took a seat where she was facing everyone in class. She had no problems sitting during the whole interview. Mrs. L said that she has noticed behavior changes within herself. She has
Elder Interview
Jorge Fernandez
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing
NURS 3313 – Care of the Healthy Aging Adult
Elder Interview
General Appearance
Normal Signs of Aging Mrs. L is a 64 year old female Caucasian who lives in West Texas. Her hair is naturally gray, but she dyes it, and appears thin and evenly distributed on her head. There are no signs of baldness but her hair is thinning. Tabloski (2006) states “the hair of a older person looks gray or white due to a decrease in the number of functioning melanocytes and the replacement of pigmented strands of hair with non-pigmented ones” (p. 335). Mrs. L’s skin is thin and pale in color. No other parts of her body were visible. Mrs. L is wearing trifocal glasses. She states that she started wearing them when she was 45 years old. According to Tabloski (2006), “Visual acuity tends to diminish gradually after 50 years of age and then more rapidly after the age of 70” (p. 387). She self admitted to being overweight. She appears alert, oriented, and admits that she has become more patient and tolerant. She states that she has back problems.
Appearance of Dress Mrs. L is appropriately dressed for the season and for the interview. Her outfit matches and appears clean and neat. Her hygiene and hair are appropriate. The client is capable of dressing her self.
Hygienic Practice The client showers at night and seems to have recently bathed. Mrs. L’s morning starts at 0530. She has her coffee, breakfast, and then prepares for work. She has clean clothes, teeth, and fingernails. Her hair is neatly combed and styled. Nothing in her appearance indicates that she has any problems performing her hygienic route regularly.
Demeanor
Mrs. L seemed happy and eager to answer our questions. She took a seat where she was facing everyone in class. She had no problems sitting during the whole interview. Mrs. L said that she has noticed behavior changes within herself. She has