Health promotion has and remains to be significant to patient care outcomes through its roles that include; management of diseases and provision of tools and resources that enable patients to take personal action and achieve accountability for their own wellness. On this same road to health promotion, health education has been essential in ensuring wellness. By definition, health education is “any combination of learning experiences designed to help individuals and communities improve their health, by increasing their knowledge or influencing their attitudes” (WHO, 2018a, para 1). Therefore, health education plays a paramount role when nurses use it to provide patients with necessary tools and information that empowers them to make informed choices and decisions that enhance health promotion. One way of achieving health education is through the nursing process. This component, which has been the backbone of nursing uses various aspects to include; assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation to help patients achieve desirable health outcomes. Through assessment, the nurse is able to identify a need from which he/she can formulate a diagnosis. Thereafter, by involving the patient, they come up with a plan that is practical and the patient then move to implementing it with the support of the nurse. Finally, through evaluation, the nurse is able to compare the expected outcomes to the actual outcomes done by the patients from which they can work on making necessary improvements to improve health promotion.

One issue that poses as a threat to the wellbeing of a family is the incidents of falls. Despite its prevalence among pediatrics and geriatrics, falls may also occur in any age group. According to (CDC, 2017e), falls are a leading cause of death and disability among geriatrics and are nearly always a preventable cause. CDC also gives statistics of more than 27000 deaths of older adults resulting from falls which is almost 74 elderlies per day. Additionally, of all the reported cases of falls, approximately more than 7 million require medical treatment or restricted activity for at least a day. Through the nursing process, a nurse is able to perform a thorough assessment and employ effective strategies to help prevent this epidemic among susceptible populations (Falkner, 2018)

Some of the ways that can help address prevention of the risk to falls for children are: ensuring Play safety; through safe playground equipment and environment, Home safety; through safe home devices like guardrails, door locks et cetera, Sport safety; through appropriate gear like helmets and sunscreens and lastly Supervision; through guidance from a responsible adult. On the other hand, ensuring safety among the older adults can be through the following; installation of grab bars in the bathroom, decluttering the home environment, strength and balance exercises to improve their balance, removal of small throw rugs, adequate lighting and the use of assistive medical equipment such as walkers. This is helpful to achieving a fall-free environment for both groups. Additionally, collaboration with the case management worker to coordinate with the patient’s insurance company is essential for the acquisition of medical equipment especially for the older adults (Falkner, 2018)

References.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017e). STEADI – Older adult fall prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/steadi

Falkner, A. (2018). In GCU’s Health Promotion: Health and Wellness Across the Continuum. Retrieved from

https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/grand-canyon-university/2018/health-promotion_health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum_1e.php

 World Health Organization, (2018a). Health education. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/health_education/en

Gaining health education as providers give educators a chance to help individuals and communities on how to enhance their health. Through teaching, hands-on and practicing, patients will feel better about themselves which will make room for healing faster. Proper education will minimize frequent hospital visits from providing a list of proper food, the proper way to store potential hazardous objects around the house to make an available list of organizations that can further assist with continued education. individuals and communities will also benefit from safe transportation and housing.

To develop a health education plan, the individual or the communities must be assessed. Assessment will give the educators ideas of what the patient needs. It will also assist in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the individual. From the assessment, a diagnosis will be made, whether it is a knowledge deficit or ineffective. From there, a plan is made with the patient being the center of that plan. If the patient is not involved in creating that plan, the plan will not be effective. After a plan is made, education be implemented in the plan. By having the individual demonstrate what was learned is a great way to evaluate whether the plan was effective or not. Cultural competency plays a major role when developing a health education plan.

The active mass shooting has become a major global issue. According to a report from FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement along with FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response training center at Texas State University, in 2018 alone, “ 27 incidents resulted in 213 casualties (85 people killed and 128 people wounded, excluding the shooters). The highest number of casualties (17 killed and 17 wounded) occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.” (FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement, FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division and ALERRT, 2018). Because of these frequent casualties, nurses require more education on the preparedness for those incidents. Parents and families will also require education on gun safety.

Planning comprises creating a kit with essentials in case a tragedy arises. This includes items such as water, flashlights, batteries, first-aid kit, and canned or dried edible food items that should be included. Educators should teach individuals or communities on communicating in meeting areas in case of a disaster. Per Angel Falkner, “Families should also take the time to discuss types of disasters with members of the family, including small children.” (Falkner, 2018). It is normal for families to panic at the time of a disaster but with good education and planning, it will alleviate some of the stress that may arise.

Reference

Falkner, A. (2018). Health Promotion in Nursing Care. Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/4

FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement, FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division, and ALERRT. (2018). Active shooting incident in the United States in 2018. Washington D.C. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-incidents-in-the-us-2018-041019.pdf/view