Care Plans For Dementia Residents

How Do You Develop A Care Plan

Approaches To Improved Early Detection Of Dementia

In order for GPs to facilitate the advance care planning process, they first of all must recognise symptoms of dementia and be able to talk about them with the patient and their relatives . Pentzek et al. performed a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies with GPs on barriers to dementia recognition and developed an approach in cases of suspected cognitive decline in a multi-professional team. With respect to recognition of and diagnostic approach to dementia, 3 major barriers were detected:

Fig. 1.

Advance Care Planning for people with dementia the role of general practitioners Key messages. Sources: Pentzek et al. and Sudore et al. .

• GPs often miss the opportunity to involve their patients in diagnostic decisions: i.e., it is left to the GP whether a cognitive testing is made or not.

• GPs often confound diagnostic steps: i.e., GPs equate early recognition of cognitive decline with specialized dementia diagnostics or with the disclosure of probable dementia. Thus, GPs may feel uncomfortable talking about dementia.

• GPs show a poor self-conception of diagnostic specialties and advantages in their GP setting.

Based on these results, the authors developed an intervention model called the CADIF project . The proposed concept for a transfer into practice emphasises:

Making Your Dementia Care Plan

Shortly after your loved one has been approved for a particular memory care center, a dementia care plan will be developed. Making a dementia care plan brings together an interdisciplinary team usually comprising the nurse, social worker, and activities professional. This team will meet with you and your loved one to assess his or her abilities, interests, and needs. Then they will create a plan of care encompassing physical, social, emotional, and spiritual goals specific to your loved one.

Recreational activities that will resonate with your loved one can be selected. For instance, sporting events may be exciting for one person whereas painting and drawing may appeal to another. A biography containing your loved ones noteworthy experiences from early childhood years through present-day daily routine information will be helpful to the care team. Specifics such as nicknames, favorite places, special people, and the like will all be helpful in providing care. As a person progresses through dementia, he or she may mention a particular memory or person which could lead to an uplifting conversation, no matter how brief, and may brighten that persons day. When the caregiving team is provided that level of insight, they can talk to the resident about familiar topics, which is much more likely to induce trust and security for the person with dementia key components to a successful stay.

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Nursing Care Plan For Dementia 1

Nursing Diagnosis: Disturbed Thought Process related to cognitive impairment secondary to dementia as evidenced by problems with coordination and motor functions, difficulty handling complex tasks, confusion and disorientation, inability to do activities of daily living as normal

Desired Outcome: The patient will be able to maintain appropriate mental and physical functioning as long as possible.

Acp Reduces Burden And Stress On Patients And Caregivers

If ACP is undertaken correctly and by appropriately trained professionals, it can help patients maintain autonomy, dignity and intimacy when their health declines and at the end of their life it helps relatives to experience the grieving process with less morbidity and there are also hints that ACP has the potential to reduce inappropriate, unwanted hospital admissions and promote more cost-effective use of healthcare resources . It should be stressed, however, that healthcare workers should sensitively explore whether a patient is receptive to the idea of an ACP consultation or whether they might reject it for personal, social or cultural reasons. Under no circumstances should the patient or their family be coerced into making these provisions.

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Care Options For Middle

If you live with someone in the middle stages of dementia, youve likely taken on more responsibility for their care by now. At this stage, it may be time to evaluate whether you need additional support to help ensure the health and safety of your loved one. Its also important to consider your own physical and mental health, the financial burdens that come with caregiving, and how it will affect your family, social, and work life.

You may want to consider care and support options such as:

• In-home care services, which offer different types of care based on your parents needs. These services include companionship meal preparations assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming and more.
• Respite care, or short-term care, which gives you a chance to take a break, go on vacation, or spend time with other family members and friends. It offers help with medication management and daily activities while keeping your loved one safe.
• Memory care communities, which tailor care to specific memory loss needs, providing a safe environment and memory-enhancing activities for seniors with dementia and other types of memory loss.
• Adult day services, which provide limited support and supervision, freeing time for primary caregivers during the day.

Signature Memory Care Services At Russellville Park

Russellville Park is proud to be a Leisure Care community and we offer our memory care residents exclusive services and amenities. Our Portland memory care residents have access to PrimeFit wellness, art therapy, horticulture therapy, and an abundance of dementia-friendly programming.

We offer private dementia-friendly suites to our residents, which feature an emergency communication system, window coverings, and more. Residents and their families also often experience peace of mind, knowing that our community is located near Portlands Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Providence Health. Memory care costs are in addition to monthly fees and are based upon an assessment of individual needs and preferences. Our staff will conduct an evaluation of services provided on a regular basis.

We know a dementia diagnosis can be devastating. As your trusted partner in Portland Alzheimers care, we are here to welcome your family into ours. With dementia support groups in a welcoming environment, we have the personalized and holistic memory care you need to restore balance in family relationships and rest, knowing your loved one is receiving high-quality care.

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Care Approaches As Dementia Progresses

Dementia typically goes on for many years. The initial symptoms are mild and difficult to see, but the damage keeps increasing with time. The type and amount of help have to be adjusted accordingly. Families must understand how care will change over the years, so that they can plan for it.

The progress of dementia is usually discussed under three broad stages. These are: early stage dementia, mid stage dementia, and late or advanced stage dementia. These stages give an overall understanding that can be used to plan care. Dr. Jane Tolman suggests the care goals for these stages as under:

• First stage: Work to ensure dignity and autonomy. The care goal is to maintain the independence and enjoyment of the person with dementia.
• Second stage: Work to ensure safety. This is because the person with dementia is more at risk because of decline in function and insight, and more changed and risky behavior.
• Third stage: Work to ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life. This includes reassessing medications and treatment approaches.

Being There For A Person With Dementia At The End Of Life

As dementia progresses, caregivers may find it hard to provide emotional or spiritual comfort to a person who has severe memory loss. However, even in advanced stages of dementia, a person may benefit from such connections.

Sensory connections targeting someones senses, including hearing, touch, or sight may also bring comfort. Being touched or massaged can be soothing. Listening to music, white noise, or sounds from nature seem to relax some people and lessen agitation. Just being present can be calming to the person.

Palliative or hospice care teams may be helpful in suggesting ways for people with dementia and their families to connect at the end of life. They also may be able to help identify when someone with dementia is in the last days or weeks of life.

Signs of the final stages of dementia include some of the following:

• Being unable to move around on ones own
• Being unable to speak or make oneself understood
• Eating problems such as difficulty swallowing

Though palliative and hospice care experts have unique experience with what happens at the end of life and may be able to give a sense of timing, its hard to predict exactly how much time a person has left.

Also Check: What To Do When Dementia Patient Is Agitated

Communicate In A Way That Will Not Distress Patients

As dementia progresses, Kriebel-Gasparro reminds nurses not to make assumptions about a patient’s ability to communicate and comprehend. The symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect each person differently from the early to moderate states. Patients need to be treated with kindness and support, using these communication techniques:

• Maintain eye contact and direct one-on-one interaction.
• Be patient and offer assurance when the patient makes mistakes or feels embarrassment.
• Ask clear and simple questions requiring yes or no answers to minimize confusion.
• Do not interrupt or argue.
• Engage in conversations in quiet spaces without distractions.

Dementia Nursing Care Plans Diagnosis And Interventions

Dementia NCLEX Review and Nursing Care Plans

Dementia is a complex neurocognitive condition affecting ones memory, thought process, and social skills.

The decline in these functions may affect the persons ability to complete activities of daily living.

Dementia can also change feelings and behavior. It is often related to memory loss however, memory loss alone does not signify the presence of the disease.

Dementia is most common in people aged 65 years and above.

This is referred to as late-onset dementia. On the other hand, early onset dementia occurs in people below the age of 65 years.

The majority of cases are late-onsets which accounts to about 97% of recorded incidents.

Dementia is an umbrella term referring to the decline in neurocognitive function.

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Developing A Nursing Care Plan For Dementia Patients

The journal Palliative Care: Research and Treatment defines dementia as a syndrome or collection of symptoms that includes a decline in reasoning and communication skills, a decline in memory ability, and a gradual loss of skills used for daily living activities. Because of the effects of the illness, it can be a challenging process to develop a nursing care plan for dementia patients. The key to a functional daily care plan for these patients is to be flexible and keep activities interesting.

Caring for dementia patients can be challenging for nursing professionals. If patients see multiple nurses during their stay at an institution, then a detailed nursing care plan for dementia is a necessity. The steps in developing a dementia care plan include the following:

Discussing the situation. NPs should discuss the changes patients are going through with them or their loved ones and understand how patients feel about their circumstances.

Developing a team. The team comprises not only nurses but also any individuals in the family who may be responsible for the patients care. Having everyone on the same page is important to ensure that the patient gets the care needed.

Determining the patients needs. Each patient is different and has specific needs. NPs should understand a patients history and diagnosis to develop a plan suited to the needs of the patient.

The Alzheimers Association states that a caregiver should take note of the following when making a plan:

Getting Creative With Activities

How have activities within the communities changed?

In this period of self-isolation and social distancing, resident engagement and social interactions are perhaps more important in supporting the emotional wellbeing of our residents than ever before. In lieu of large-group activities, Leisure Care managed communities are proud to have adapted and risen to the occasion, engaging residents with individual in-apartment activities, technology-based engagement programs, doorway and corridor events , and specialized activities for Opal by Leisure Care program residents. Small group activities that allow for social distancing, cleaning and disinfection of areas/items between use and observing best PPE and hand hygiene practices will be introduced to each community as permitted by current conditions and jurisdictional guidance.

PrimeFit, a nationally branded program and leader in senior fitness and wellness, is exclusive to Leisure Care communities, and it is one way we keep our residents focused on health, fitness, and fun. PrimeFit has creatively adapted its health and wellness programs to align with social distancing guidelines and regulations. Our PrimeFit instructors are hosting virtual classes, providing in-home workout plans, and offering a variety of engaging therapies. We know that mental health is just as important as physical health and strive to meet the social, emotional, physical, and mental needs of our residents year-round.

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Care Plan Goals & Interventions

This is one of many free activities.

Learn how to respond to the assessment of needs with the following 6 case studies extracted from resident care plans.

She has difficulty in communicating and becomes frustrated when words don’t flow easily for her.

She used to be actively involved with her Parish Church, assisting with fetes and church decoration.

She is frequently agitated in the afternoons when she insists on ‘going home’.

GOALS:

• Improve intrusive behaviour with diversionary strategies.
• Elicit a positive response from Marie to planned activities.

INTERVENTIONS:

• Staff will communicate with Marie in a calm and relaxed manner, giving herample time to express herself and offering empathetic encouragement.
• having hair combed and ‘set’
• hanging out clothes to dry
• folding clothes
• tidying out handbag
• washing and drying dishes under supervision

Related:

Joe is 78 years old and has been at our facility for 4 weeks.

Joe has had several heart attacks, is a diabetic and lives with mild multi-infarct dementia.

He is opinionated and intolerant of his fellow residents. He resents being at our facility and does not mix wellwith the other ‘crazy people’ as he calls them.

GOALS:

Plan Care For Various Stages Of Dementia

Caring for persons with dementiaThe abilities of someone with dementia keep reducing as dementia gets worse. Care has to be continually adjusted accordingly.

What caregivers can do: Understand the stages of dementia and how they will impact the help the person needs. Plan for the changes in the dementia persons ability and the support required. Consider suitable home adjustments. Learn the required caregiving skills. The caregiving workload will increase over time, so consider available support systems. Make required adjustments in other responsibilities.

Sections on this page:

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Nursing Care Plan For Dementia 5

Nursing Diagnosis: Disturbed Sensory Perception related to dementia as evidenced by several changes in sensory acuity, behavior, and altered patterns of communication.

Desired Outcomes:

• The patient will be able to properly identify sounds and objects presented.
• The patient will be able to maintain remaining sensory function and control the effects of deficits in relation to the limits of their condition.
• The family will be amenable to adjustments in the patients environment to prevent untoward incidents.