T.J. is a 76-year-old man that recently lost his wife. He lives alone now in an ALF where he has some friends that he associates with. They are “good for his overall well-being” claims the administrators of the facility who befriended T.J. when he lost his wife six months ago.The facility that T.J. lives in is convenient for many aspects of hislife, including entertainment and even some of the healthcare associatesfrom neighboring clinics that have partnered with the facility to allow visits with the residents.

Overthe years, the associates from the neighboring clinic have grown closeto some residents and have followed them during some of their crisis,both emotional and physical. Christine, a nurse practitioner from aneighboring clinic, has followed T.J. for many years and is nowassessing his fall risk through a tool called the “Hendrick Fall RiskTool II” a popular means of assessing the fall risk that may exist foran elderly person.

An entry by the ARNPrecently on T.J. demonstrated that there was enough information,recognizing previous and present knowledge to utilize the tool to giveT.J. a score representing his fall risk. the entry reads: “T.J. is a76-year-old that is evaluated today for his fall risk. He has a MedHx ofBPH, COPD, seizures, eczema, and anxiety. He has been seen monthly andhe described some episodes of nocturia that still persists. A list ofhis recent mediation includes Alprazolam, Phenytoin, Dutasteride, andibuprofen prn. By administering the Get Up and Go Test, we find that heonly had a brief episode of not being able to rise but he performedwell after that completing it in 12 seconds. He demonstrates animprovement in his depression experienced in the past exhibited forseveral months after the loss of his spouse. His friends at thefacility keep him busy and he is much improved in his outlook for thefuture.” C. Miller ARNP