CHCAC15A Provide Care Support assessment 1 and answers

Tasks:



Element 1:

Use communication strategies which take account of the progressive and variable nature of dementia


What are the early signs of dementia?

Lapse in memory
Difficulty in making decisions and judgement
Difficulty in following conversations
Difficulty in doing calculations
Difficulty in following directions

Why have assessments?

To establish the cause and potentially
-treat, improve or reverse condition.

What are some common signs of dementia?

Perseveration (ie repetition) of words, phrases or actions
Perseveration of thought could be called the 'stuck needle syndrome', as the person gets stuck with a subject, and is unable to move from it
Inability to deal with abstract thought: for example, a person will find it hard to grasp the meaning of sayings such as "A rolling stone gathers no moss', their explanation being quite literal
Difficulty in understanding others' viewpoints
Inability to put events or actions into a logical order
Impulsivity, poor judgement, mood swings
Inability to learn from experience
Difficulty in monitoring own behaviour


Name five problems associated with ageing.

Disorientation,
poor concentration,
self neglect Occurs rapidly, worse at night;
disappears after underlying cause treated;
clouding of consciousness


What are the differences between depression and dementia?

A person with depression displays signs of slowness, non responsiveness and normally gives accurate answers where as a person with dimensia has memory lapses, difficulties in following direction, judgenement and decision making,

What is reality orientation?

Reality orientation is essentially a means of helping people to remember, hold onto their skills, abilities and experiences, to relearn some skills, express their personalities and enjoy their lives as much as possible.

What are possible errors of using reality orientation?

Interferring rather than supporting by not reasonably giving patient control
Deprivation of normal routine
Forgetting to employ touch, eye contact and explanation which can impair communication
Humiliating and odd behaviour by 'supporters' is damaging; eg. a barber who shaves an elderly man without first consulting him about how or whether it should be done is hardly reality-oriented!




What is reminiscence?


Recalling a patient’s past events and or experiences in conversation

How do you gain cooperation and provide reassurance to clients by routinely using reality orientation?

Reality orientation gives a carer a better understanding of the patient which helps in promoting positive staff attitudes. Furthermore, it helps patients to remain in touch with the here and now which enables reasonable independence.


How do you use families as resource to assist in developing appropriate activities?

by accessing information about client reminiscences and routines and provide training for them to assist them to understand the disease, its impact on the person and some approaches to providing care


Discuss three Behaviors of concern that a person with Dementia may exhibit

A person with dementia may become more withdrawn, forgetful and neglect their own personal hygiene.

Name 5 (five) Difficult or challenging behaviour associated with dementia and how do you deal with these behaviours?
Hostility
· Inform doctor or community psychiatric nurse to assess possible cause
· Get psychology assessment
· Remain calm but firm

Hallucination
· Arrange a physical examination
· Get psychology assessment

Difficulty in performing self help activites
· Behaviours are observed and documented to determine triggers which may be related
· Get Psychological assessment

Dressing
Careful prompting or reminders may help the person get dressed independently
Set out the clothes in a pile with the first item to be put on at the top
Try using the task breakdown technique. This involves breaking the task into simple,manageable steps and doing them one step at a time. You may have to gently remind the person with each step, or do several of the steps yourself. Reassurance and praise for each successful step will make the task more pleasurable for both of you


Inability to Communicate
· Use simple words
· Watch for non-verbal clues

Name 4 (four) Signs that a person with Dementia is confused or distressed

Pulling of clothes e.g lifting of skirt
Withdrawal
They keep saying I dont know
Slow to respond

What is challenging behaviour?

Behaviour that needs to be closely monitored and that has possible detrimental consequences

How do you document observed behaviors of a demented person?

Use a behaviour chart to document behaviours. Behaviours are observed and documented to determine triggers which may be related with regards to ;physical and emotional health, environmental,tasks,communication.