What should a plan of care include for a hearing-impaired elderly client admitted for a fractured femur?

A comprehensive plan of care for a hearing-impaired elderly client should prioritize social interaction opportunities. Social interactions play a crucial role in the mental and emotional well-being of older adults, particularly when they are facing hospitalization due to injury or illness. Providing opportunities for social interaction can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common among individuals with hearing impairments.

Encouraging social interaction allows the client to engage with their surroundings and maintain connections with family, friends, and caregivers, which is essential for their overall health. It can also facilitate communication, as hearing-impaired individuals often benefit from being in environments where they can see facial expressions and lip movements, which are vital for understanding conversations.

While considering other aspects of care, such as ensuring the client is self-reliant or addressing noise levels in the environment, the primary focus should be on fostering social connections, as this contributes significantly to their psychological and emotional recovery during their hospital stay. Advocating for a hearing aid evaluation is important as well, but that action would fall under a longer-term solution rather than immediate social engagement strategies that can enhance the patient’s experience during hospitalization.