NURS 600 Assignment 3.3 Connecting Developmental Theory

Student Name

Maryville University

NURS600

Professor

June 26th, 2023

Introduction

Key Facts and Findings Developmental theories play an important role in patient care irrespective of the patient’s age (Damis, 2022). The purpose of this assignment is to identify, analyze, and explain the application of a selected developmental theory to a fictional patient case, and then relate it to the treatment and management of elderly patient. I am a Nurse Practitioner in the Geriatric Population and also have a specialty in Nurse Management to explain how all the above-mentioned theories can be applied to the care plan of an elderly patients with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. It can be conclusively claimed that through promoting the patients’ developmental and psychosocial needs, their health-related quality of life is enhanced.

Patient Case

Patient Profile

Mr. John Doe is a 78-year-old male who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at an advanced stage. He has been diagnosed with diabetes and he lives with his daughter who takes care of him. He also has a son who lives in another state and who only comes to see him sometimes. Mr. Doe a hypertensive type-2 diabetic patient takes regular maintenance medicine and is a retired engineer. Suffering from this type of illness that has made him recently become a widow, he is struggling to manage this disease with the help of his family. He has a daughter, she is also involved in his daily care and she is almost always there to monitor his physical and, especially, his psychological condition given his gradually weakening dementia.

Developmental Stage Analysis and Integration of Theories

Freud’s Theory (Psychosexual Stages)

He is now much older than the age range usually associated with psychosexual staging, these theories can still be potentially helpful in implementing Mr. John Doe’s care. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, a patient may have anxiety and behavior problems due to external fears and conflict that is implicit (Godena et al., 2023). Although stress related to cognitive function may overwhelm him, probably the use of another defense mechanism like repression or denial may help. These automated aspects should be identified by the caregiver and addressed by speaking soothingly, ensuring the environment is in its best condition, and engaging in other activities that would disengage the anxiety system and engage the security one.

Erikson’s Theory (Psychosocial Stages)

Applying Erikson’s psychosocial theory, the individual described in the case, the patient Mr. John Doe, is in the stage of Integrity vs. Despair. Despair. It presents the paradox for end-of-life care to apprehend him in his heightened advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, yet there is a kind time to help him reclaim his integrity, as you discover and distill the accomplishments of his life and the part he played in creating his story. It has been established that reminiscence therapy can assist patients in maintaining their dignity and self-image, thus, discussing the positive aspects of the patient and invoking their memory of accomplishments would be helpful in this context (Trejo-Lopez et al., 2021). Furthermore, older adults still need emotional support in such aspects of life as coping with disappointment linked to unwanted cognitive changes as informed by the study of emotional development in old age to support their quality of life in this stage.

Piaget’s Theory (Cognitive Development)

The stages for cognitive development by Piaget cannot be used on Mr. John Doe fully since the patient is old and probably has Alzheimer’s disease which affects his cognitive functions; nonetheless, knowledge of cognitive processes is paramount in his treatment plan. It leads to dementia that causes progressive degeneration of the mental faculty, such as loss of memory and confusion. To integrate Piaget assumption, one has to acknowledge such cognitive alterations and adapt to their occurrence accordingly (Lei et al., 2021). This may involve making Mr. Doe follow a similar schedule as a way of organizing his day, having regular reminders of his activities and tasks for the day, encouraging him to do various activities that challenge the state of his mind, and developing a routine that helps him in as far as is possible as a way of improving his quality of life.

Vygotsky’s Theory (Sociocultural Development)

According to Vygotsky and the Socio-cultural theory of development, the current stage for learning Mr. John Doe highlights how social interaction is valued in development. Nevertheless, as it has Alzheimer’s disease, social interaction is very crucial since it helps in general welfare. When implementing Vygotsky’s theory in his care it must be noted that family members should participate in meaningful and constructive interactions with Mr. Doe. Promoting routine visits, keeping up discussions that relate to past experiences, and involving the patient in hobbies and interests can serve as significant social interaction, support, and mental challenge that promotes the continued learning process and wellbeing of the patient in the presence of the condition (Mintun et al., 2021).

Smilansky’s Play Theory

Smilansky’s play theory while not directly applicable to Mr. John Doe due to his young elderliness, lack of physical dexterity, and substantial memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease, can be scaled down and altered to augment his care. By organizing and planning activities and play-like therapies, for instance, music therapy as well as arts, or recalling events that took place in the past, it becomes possible to help Mr. Doe to recall the information that he received earlier and, at the same time, get the experience of pleasure. These interventions provide a chance to experience the sensory textures of his environment, to mimic or not express feelings, and to interact with others and thereby enjoy a better quality of life irrespective of the ASD (Juan Carlos Ruíz et al., 2020). In this case, it will be possible to make use of play intervention to improve Mr. Doe’s cognition and psychosocial well-being using various individualized techniques.

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

Specifically with regards to Mr. John Doe’s case, Bandura’s social learning theory emphasizing observational learning and modeling has got useful information on how provision of care to him, can be addressed despite his degeneration. Through using modeling and observational learning techniques intervention, the caregivers in attending to Mr. Doe should ensure that they attend to behaviors that reinforce positive actions and avoid those that provoke aggressive feelings such as agitation.

In teaching the conditional use of positive language and leading by example, as a caring caregiver, one can ensure that Mr. Doe sees and imitates the desired behaviors of a placid individual. Moreover, organizing the schedule and including definite patterns and recognizable tasks will also contribute to his feeling of safety and comfort, which means that further proper communication with him can be improved, and episodes of distress can be effectively reduced (Rumjaun & Narod, 2020). Applying Bandura’s theory allows caregivers to use observational learning as a strategy to enhance appropriate behaviors and enhance the quality of life of Mr. Doe, despite the limited PT provided by Alzheimer’s disease.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

Observing the vital points of Bowlby’s attachment theory it is possible to emphasize that the securely attached individuals’ states contribute to their overall well-being and resourcefulness in any stage of their life, even when it comes to such a period as elderliness, for example, the Mr. John Doe’s without any doubt. When applying this theory, the key aspect is that Mr Doe should feel safe and comforted by his daughter and the nursing and healthcare team through constant, loving care. From the context of attachment theory, thus caring for the emotional responsiveness and physical presence established with Mr. Doe, the narrator creates an environment of paternal trust and protection. This strengthened attachment results in buffering him from distress and enhances his capacity to deal with the strains of Alzheimer’s disease, thus strengthening his general psychological and emotional well-being (Granqvist, 2020).

Anticipated Treatment and Care Plan

Medical Management

Continuous medication for Mr. John Doe’s Alzheimer’s, hypertension, and diabetes have to be addressed to adequately cater to his medical needs. Therefore, through regular follow-up on the patient’s medication schedule and alterations in the prescribed doses of the various chemicals, the outcome of the process and possible side effects can be effectively managed by healthcare professionals. Supplementation of his health status enables a nurse to detect any changes as early as possible and to avoid complications arising from his comorbid conditions (Yiannopoulou & Papageorgiou, 2020).

Psychosocial Support

Organizing the reminiscence therapy could be a unique chance to contribute to the improvement of Mr. Doe’s sense of loss of identity due to his dementia condition. Through the discussions and activities that make the patient recall good things in his life, Mr. Doe can have hope in life and a purpose to live due to the personal stories he hears or sees daily. Therefore, considering the needs of the carers as well as offering education and support to the carers will go a long way in controlling and preventing carer stress hence promoting good caregiving (Pasquini et al., 2022). Endowment of self-care resources to caregivers enhances the capacity of caregivers to manage the tasks of caregiving while tending to their needs optimally.

Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies

Implementing different cognitive stimulating visible tasks according to the capability of Mr. Doe is effective in that; it enhances cognitive features and maintains correct mental health. Such actions like playing puzzles, word games, or maybe games that are associated with singing and music help to develop neural connections and possibly halt the cognitive degradation process (Iodice et al., 2021). Moreover, the use of behavioral modification techniques such as redirection and modifying the environment successfully maintains signs of aggressive and confused behavior patterns, therefore improving the quality of life for Mr. Doe and ensuring that he is safe.

Social and Environmental Modifications

Evaluating the safety and suitability of other living arrangements is critical for Mr. Doe, given his disability. Most of these risks have been caused by his disability hence by eradicating sources of danger and incorporating certain facilities, the safety of falling or having an accident is reduced for Mr. Doe. To this end, integrating the elderly with other family members or friends helps to reduce the feeling of loneliness since this is a common feeling that most of the elderly endure (Iodice et al., 2021). In the same way, these social activities are vital in supporting his or her psychological needs as well as enabling meaningful interaction to improve his or her general social interaction skills as a human.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this particular assignment has strikingly underscored the importance of development theories in caring for the elderly, especially for patients such as Mr. John Doe, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, applying Erikson’s stage of “integrity vs. despair” can help caregivers support Mr. Doe in finding meaning and reducing emotional distress, even as his cognitive abilities decline. Therefore, based on related theories like Freud’s, Erikson’s, as well as Vygotsky’s theories concerning children’s development among other related theories, caregivers should provide specific and more intensive interventions to meet Mr. Doe’s perceived developmental/psychosocial needs.

This is a more comprehensive way of providing benefits not just a plus to his medical needs but also in the social-emotional and cognitive aspects. Thus, understanding the developmental theories and incorporating them into care closely for patients like Mr. Doe will help healthcare providers improve the quality of life for many people like Mr. Doe in the later years of their lives.