Name: K.W.
Age: 54-year-old
Ethnicity: African-American
Gender: Male
Health Condition: Hypertension
This teaching plan will equip K.W. with the right knowledge and strategies to help manage his high blood pressure status by adopting a healthier lifestyle. The teaching plan is tailored to fit K.W.’s health needs. Tailored self-management education improves the health literacy of elderly hypertensive patients, which impacts their overall blood pressure management(Delavar et al., 2020). Hypertension, if not well managed, risks the development of other complications such as cardiovascular diseases eye, and kidney problems. Through Lifestyle changes, K.W. can control hypertension and prevent the development of related complications effectively.
The teaching plan will help K.W. improve the following:
Teaching Plan Content
The teaching plan’s content will cover three vital health education areas necessary to help K.W. manage and improve his blood pressure readings to safer levels.
Understanding Hypertension
Hypertension is any blood pressure reading above 130/80 mmHg (American Heart Association, n.d.). Hypertension can exist without any notable symptoms. Regardless of whether there are symptoms or not, hypertension can lead to very unexpected complications and even death. The aim is to improve K.W.’s overall health literacy regarding hypertension.
Risk factors for Hypertension
People whose family has a history of hypertension and are above 50 (Li et al., 2021) mostly live a sedentary lifestyle with a higher intake of unhealthy foods, cigarette smoking, and high amounts of alcohol, as well as gaining weight uncontrollably, are at a higher risk of hypertension. Additionally, living with prolonged periods of stress and having diabetes can further exacerbate hypertension (Li et al., 2021).
Necessary Lifestyle Changes for Self-Management of Hypertension
K.W., whether supervised or unsupervised, will be expected to remain disciplined with his eating habits and stick to healthy eating habits. These include avoiding eating high-sodium content foods, especially fast foods, reducing the intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks, reducing the intake of foods and beverages with added sugar, and improving the intake of fruits and vegetables. A dietician will continuously advise K.W. on the foods to incorporate into his meal diary, including when and how to prepare the foods for consumption.
K.W.’ will also be expected to remain physically active by improving his rate of physical activity. The plan requires him to move frequently whether at home or within the care facility. Aerobic exercises such as park walks and cycling are suggested to improve K.W.’s activity levels. K.W. is also expected to enroll at the elderly gym in the local community. He is required to exercise up to 40 minutes, 3 times a week, with peers. Physical activities aim to improve weight management. Additionally, K.W. will be assessed for any other behaviors that exacerbate his hypertensive state, such as alcohol use and smoking, and the necessary cessation strategies employed.
Teaching Methods and Materials
The nurse in charge of coordinating K.W.’s care and teaching plan will hold regular discussions with the client. The discussions will help identify areas in which K.W. requires further clearance. The nurse will also demonstrate to K.W. how to take his blood pressure readings at home and how to keep records of such readings, as well as how to interpret them.
A visualized brochure and a poster with information on hypertension, how to manage the condition, risk factors, and what to do in case of an emergency will be provided to K.W. Some related websites such as the American Heart Association, the CDC, among others, will also be recommended as well as on how to use the provided resources.
Evaluation of the Teaching Plan
The teaching plan will be evaluated by asking K.W. questions that help identify progress, such as: