Older Clients Assessment 1
Question 1
The first deficit is orientation. In this case, Mr. Lusk lacks the ability to perform a complex task. This means that he is poor in concentrating on the different tasks (Candlin & Crichton, 2011). The second deficit is memory loss. This is where Mr. Lusk gets lost when walking in familiar territories due memory loss. The third deficit is in insight. In this situation, Mr. Lusk has poor observation skills or information. Therefore, he fails to perform shopping or remember familiar territories due to poor insight. Thirdly, Mr. Lusk has a deficit in judgment. This is because he fails to perform complex house task since he unable to make a proper judgment. Finally, he has a deficit in language skills. This is poor or lack of oral communication (Candlin & Crichton, 2011). For example, Mr. Lusk was unable to communicate when he was lost for two days.
Question 2
First, a medical practitioner needs to record the medical history of a patient. This includes any past disease and medicine the patient might have taken in the past. It is necessary for the practitioner to seek information about the patient from family members (State Government of Victoria, 2012). Secondly, performing of basic medical tests is crucial to rule out other disorders. Finally, the practitioner must perform more complex medical test for purposes of evaluating the nature of the disorder (State Government of Victoria, 2012).
Question 3
Dementia is the continuous loss or deterioration of the cognitive functions of a person (Dementia Care Australia 2012). Cognitive functions mean the ability of a person mind to process thoughts. Dementia is not a disease by itself but a non-specific syndrome (Dementia Care Australia 2012). This means that dementia is a set of signs and symptoms. Dementia is common among the elderly people but can occur to adults of any age. The main causes of dementia are other diseases like stroke together with aging. It is worth noting that, for proper diagnosis of dementia, a patient must have been experiencing the symptoms for a minimum of six months.
Question 4
The first symptom is loss of memory. This is where a person tends to forget to certain things or activities (International Psychogeriatric Association, 2003). For example, Mr. Lusk was not able to walk in familiar territories without getting lost. The second symptom is poor communication skills. This is where patients are not be able to express themselves through talking or using other forms of communication effectively (International Psychogeriatric Association, 2003). The other symptom is the inability to focus and pay attention. In this situation, a patient is not able to perform complex tasks because he cannot focus or be keen to details. Poor reasoning and judgment is the other symptom where a patient is not able to decide properly or perform certain duties or activities. Finally, visual perception is the last common symptom where a patient has poor eyesight. For example, Mr. Lusk has a history of cataracts making it difficult for him to visualize properly. It is valuable to note that a minimum of two of these symptoms leads to a diagnosis of dementia.
Question 5
The first advantage of providing patients with dimension with a safe, social and emotional environment is that it increases their potential. In this case, patients are able to achieve full capability of performing tasks on their own (Tilly & Reed, 2009). The second advantage is an improvement of quality of life. In this situation, it reduces interdependency making it easy for both the patient and family members resulting to improvement of their living standards. The other advantage is that it reduces needless disabilities. This is where a patient will be able to communicate effectively or perform certain duties without help. Another benefit is an improvement of spirits or encouragement of people suffering from dementia. This is where patients feel part of the society (Tilly & Reed, 2009). For example, a patient with poor visuals may feel stigmatized if a caregiver fails to include him or her in what is happening in the environment.
Question 6
The first support service available for Mrs. Lusk to assist her husband after he is discharged is counseling services (Tilly & Reed, 2009). In this case, the retirement center is going to provide Mrs. Lusk with counseling services where she can have the courage to speak openly about her challenges and how to care for her husband. Secondly, the retirement center should avail support groups for Mrs. Lusk to help her understand that there are other people suffering the same predicament and the techniques they are using (Tilly & Reed, 2009). Finally, Mrs. Lusk should enroll in community lessons available at the retirement center that educates her about how to assist her husband once he discharged.
Question 7
The reason why Mr. Lusk is wandering of is because of loss of memories and feeling out of place (Gariépy & Ménard, 2010). In this case, Mrs. Lusk should try to perform routine activities that will help her husband remember. As a result, he will not wander or get lost. Secondly, Mrs. Lusk should design busy routines for the purpose of making sure Mr. Lusk does not have time to wander. Additionally, she should try to create an environment where her husband would feel as part of the community. Finally, Mrs. Lusk should ensure her husband is healthy (Gariépy & Ménard, 2010). This is through exercising the brain and eating foods that support the brain like vegetables and less red meat.
Question 8
One of the main aetiologies for Mr. Lusk change of behavior and personality is aging . As Mr. Lusk is growing old, he is likely going to experiences these changes since dementia progresses with time (Mendelson, 2009). The other aetiology is concern of loss of memory by Mr. Lusk. Many aging people fear for the loss of their memory resulting to them becoming paranoia. For this reason, Mr. Lusk paranoia may be because of his concern to loss of memory. Pain is another aetiology that is leading to Mr. Lusk change in behavior and personality. People suffering from dementia have the inability to communicate. Therefore, one way to communicate pain is through anger. Henceforth, Mr. Lusk anger may be as a result of pain. Lack of proper exercise may be the cause of these changes (Mendelson, 2009). For instance, Mr. Lusk is experience insomnia or restlessness because he has not had enough exercise. Finally, suspicion is the other aetiology. In this case, Mr. Lusk is accusing his wife because he suspects her for doing some things. This is because of failing to remember due to loss of memory.
Question 9
Validation therapy is where a caregiver tends to enter the reality of a patient with dementia rather than trying to bring the patient into reality (Quick, 2008). According to validation therapy, it is more painful for a person to learn that he or she is suffering from dementia in comparison to moving along with their story before diverting them to reality (Quick, 2008). For example, a patient with dementia may wake up one day extremely happy because he or she is receiving a promotion at work. In this case, instead of bringing him or her back to reality by explaining to him or her that he or she does not have a job it is easier to play along and later diverge his or her attention by simply asking him or her to join you for breakfast. In the case of Mr. Lusk, his wife should apply validation when he wakes up at night by preparing a glass of warm milk. This will soothe him back to sleep with a happy face. As a result, this will reduce the progression .
Question 10
Mr. Lusk dementia is deteriorating rapidly. For this reason, there is a need for immediate intervention. First, counseling is immediately required for both Mr. and Mrs. Lusk (Buijssen, 2005). This will help Mrs. Lusk to understand what is happening to her husband and equip herself with better care techniques. Moreover, both Mr. and Mrs. Lusk need counseling to help them cope with the changes. Secondly, Mrs. Lusk should receive training from the retirement center or hospital about how to cope with these changes (NHS, 2013). Finally, the caregivers should help Mrs. Lusk in designing an excellent strategy that will help reduce these changes.
References
Buijssen, H. P. J. (2005). The Simplicity of Dementia: A Guide for Family and Carers. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Candlin, C., & Crichton, J. (2011). Discourses of Deficit. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dementia Care Australia, (2012). What is dementia? Retrieved April 5, 2013 from: http://www.dementiacareaustralia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=69
Gariépy, Q., & Ménard, R. (2010). Handbook of cognitive aging: Causes, processes, and effects. New York: Nova Biomedical Books.
International Psychogeriatric Association. (2003). Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: BPSD IPA educational pack. Skokie, IL: IPA.
Mendelson, S. D. (2009). Beyond Alzheimer’s: How to avoid the modern epidemic of dementia. Lanham, Md: M. Evans.
NHS, (2013). Coping with Dementia Behavior Changes. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-behaviour.aspx
Quick, E. K. (2008). Doing what works in brief therapy: A strategic solution focused approach. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.
State Government of Victoria, (2012). Dementia – Support Services. Retrieved April 5, 2013 from: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Dementia_support_services_are_available
Tilly, J & Reed, P., (2009). Campaign for Quality Residence Care. Sidney, Australia: Alzheimer’s Association.
HLTEN515B – Assessment TASK 1: CASE STUDY – ‘Mr Lusk’
Did the student perform the following skills: Yes No Comments
Correctly discusses presenting deficits in relation to client’s condition. Please see my comment
Correctly defines Dementia and outlines the investigations leading to a medical diagnosis, symptoms of Dementia and the importance of providing a safe, social, & emotional environment for Dementia clients.
Please outline some of the possible investigations.
Demonstrates understanding of, and correctly discusses community/support services available for clients and their families upon discharge.
You need to list some of the available support services.
Correctly identifies information pertaining to the safety of the wandering client, specifically what to tell the client’s primary carer and relevant others.
Discusses possible aetiologies for changes in personality and behaviour, focusing on health & environmental factors and disease progression.
Correctly defines and gives an example of Validation Therapy and outlines how and why it can assist this client.
Good example.
Outlines interventions that could be incorporated in client care to respond to their challenging behaviours
Please discuss interventions that could be used.
Provides a clear layout of assessment Good.
Shows evidence of the use of at least four (4) relevant reference sources (e.g. textbooks, professional websites, current journal articles).
Use A.P.A. 6th edition referencing style – including in-text referencing plus a separate reference list
Use a plain font (eg. Arial, Times New Roman), size 12 font.
Adheres to limit 1000-1500 words
Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Comments:
Shirley, you have provided some good answers in your assessment which demonstrate a good understanding of the issues that arise in the case study. Unfortunately there are a couple of errors and omissions and you will need to resubmit this assessment addressing the feedback in relation to Q2, Q6 and Q10. Please ensure that you read the question carefully to ensure that you answer all components of the question.
I am interested to see that some of the questions I have asked to resubmit you got correct in your previous submission, perhaps you should use that assessment to assist you answering these questions.
Please resubmit these three questions only by 03/05/13 and contact me should you require any information relating to this feedback.
Assessor signature: Kris Backwell Date: 24/04/13
