Part VI Evaluation
A. Goal accomplishment
1. Describe goals you wanted to accomplish
The first goal is the identification and promotion of nutritional strategies to aid in meeting metabolic needs and disease prevention that are therapeutic and beneficial to lifestyle changes. Cardiovasculardisease CVD remains the leading cause of death in the United States despite decades of research and consequent evolution of prevention and treatment guidelines. The role of nutrition is of paramount importance to reducing the burden of CVD despite advances in pharmacological and surgical management. Thus, the identification and implementation of dietary strategies with the greatest potential for reducing cardiovascular problems and other health related problems and risks are of major public health importance.  Our second goal is to teach residents what effect nutrition and physical activity has or affect blood pressure. Here we introduced DASH Diet. The DASH diet emphasizes increased intake of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods while limiting intake of red meat and added sugars. Whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts are also emphasized. According to clinical research studies, the evidence has consistently demonstrated that the DASH diet reduces BP, LDL-C, HDL-C by 5.5/3.0 mm Hg.  Our third goal was to teach our residents on at least 3 management techniques to cope with stress in their everyday life. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but that doesn’t mean people should ignore it.  Too much untreated stress can cause potentially serious physical and mental health problems.  Untreated stress can eventually overwhelm a person and make it difficult or impossible to carry out their daily routine. It’s best to find ways to manage stress when it first develops. The good news is that in many cases, stress is fairly manageable through easy to learn techniques such as: getting adequate sleep, proper diet, physical activity, relaxation techniques like listening to music, or medication.
2. Describe the collaborative process of goal setting
At the beginning of our clinical journey we all set down and had a collaborative meeting with the staff members of this facility, where we discussed the importance of what we need to focus on during our clinical rotations at Shore Hill Senior Center. We also used our professional judgment and evaluation of the center and the area, where we thoroughly assessed district #10, consisting of Bay Ridge, and our teammates who were sent to other two centers assessed Bensonhurst and Dyker Hights. Most importantly it was a a client-led goal setting. For us to be able to provide client centered care and for it to be effective all members of the team, and most importantly the client must voice their concerns, and agree with proposed goals. In our case we thoroughly assessed the residents and on ongoing basis determined that educating our clients regarding proper diet, physical activities, and stress management was determined to be important points to address at this time. Of course collaborative goal setting and assessment cannot be accomplish without communication. It is a vital to the team to progress towards goals. During our blood pressure screenings residents raised to us their concern regarding blood pressure management and food that they consume. And any goal setting in action is a cyclical process of assessment, goal setting, intervention and reassessment. Our group assessed residents, then presented the topic, and then on ongoing basis we reassess residents what they have learned what stuff they are unclear about. And every time we little by little we introduced new information but in a way not to overwhelm our clients and at the same time teach them something new.
3. Describe how the goals were accomplished
In order for the goals to be accomplished they need to be measurable, a person needs to be motivated to move towards accomplishing it and not feeling like a failure if they don’t achieve it. We took little steps, to help residents. It really takes time for a person to change, taking into consideration their age and other circumstances. We didn’t want to rush residents by any means. We make sure that the goals were feasible and specific, and measurable. We make sure that the goals can be tied in together. We set long and short term goals. Our short term goal for-instance would be by the end of the presentation residents will state what techniques they can use to maintain blood pressure within the therapeutic limits, what food choices can help them to maintain healthy weight and so on.  And our long term goal which takes approximately three to five years to achieve was changing their lifestyle in a long run to a healthier and more happier one. Since this goal takes long time to be accomplished and due to the short period of time for our clinical rotations, we would not be able to assess a long term goal. But the short term goal we were able to assess and were able to assess the accomplishments. At the end of each presentation residents stated what steps to take to lower or maintain their blood pressure, what food groups and food choices to make to stay healthier, and what stress management techniques can help them to relieve tension and be able to cope in a stressful situation.
