Na Basic Care Ch 5

Front 1

Confusion

Back 1

is the inability to think clearly. Confusion interferes with the ability to make decisions. The person's personality may change. He may not know his name, the date, other people, or where he is. A confused person may be angry, depressed, or irritable. Confusion may come on suddenly or gradually. It kept me to Prairie or permanent. Some causes of confusion include the following: urinary tract infection UTI, low blood sugar, head trauma or injury, dehydration, nutritional problems, fever, sudden drop in body temperature, lack of oxygen, medications, infections, diseases or illnesses, loss of sleep, seizures.

Front 2

Guidelines for confused residents

Back 2

Stay calm. Provide a quiet environment. Do not leave a confused resident alone. Speak in a lower tone of voice. Speak clearly and slowly. Introduce yourself each time you see the resident. Remind the resident of his location, name, and the date. Explain what you are going to do, using simple instructions. Be patient. Do not rush the resident. Talk to the resident about plans for the day. Keeping a routine may help. Encourage the use of eyeglasses and hearing aids. Make sure they are clean and are not damaged. Promote self-care and Independence.

Front 3

Delirium

Back 3

is a state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary. Possible causes include infections, disease, fluid imbalances, poor nutrition, and substance abuse. Signs and symptoms include: agitation, anger, depression, irritability, disorientation, trouble focusing, problems with speech, changes in sensation and perception, changes in consciousness, decrease in short-term memory. NAs should report these signs and symptoms to the nurse. The goal of treatment is to control or reverse the cause. Emergency care may be needed, as well as a stay in the hospital.

Front 4

Cognition

Back 4

The ability to think logically and clearly.

Front 5

Cognitive impairment

Back 5

The loss of the ability to think logically and clearly. How much ability is lost depends on the individual. Cognitive impairment affects concentration and memory. Elderly residents may lose their memories of recent events. This can be frustrating for them. NAs Can help by encouraging them to make list of things to remember. Writing down names and phone numbers may also help. Other normal changes of Aging in the brain are slower Reaction Time, trouble finding or using the right words, and sleeping less.

Front 6

Dementia

Back 6

Is a general term that refers to a serious loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating. As dementia advances, these losses make it hard to perform activities of daily Living such as eating, bathing, dressing, and eliminating. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Common causes of dementia include: Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct or vascular dementia (a series of Strokes causing damage to the brain), Lewy Body dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease.

Front 7

Alzheimer's disease

Back 7

Causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain. It is the most common cause of Dementia in the elderly. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. 1 and 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's disease. Women are more likely than men to have Alzheimer's disease and dementia. African Americans are about two times as likely to get Alzheimer's disease as older whites, while Hispanics are about 1.5 times as likely. The risk of getting AD increases with age, but it is not a normal part of aging. There is no known cause of AD, and there is there is no cure. Diagnosis is difficult, involving many physical and mental tests to rule out other causes. The only sure way to determine AD at this time is by autopsy (examination of the body after death). The length of time it takes AD progress from onset to death varies greatly. It may take anywhere from 4 to 20 years. Symptoms of AD appear gradually. It begins with memory loss. As the disease progresses, it causes greater and greater loss of health and abilities. People with AD may get disoriented. They may be confused about time and place. Communication problems are common. They may lose their ability to read, write, speak, or understand. Mood and behavior changes. Aggressiveness, wandering, and withdrawal are all part of AD. Alzheimer's disease generally progresses in stages. In each stage, the symptoms become worse. The majority of victims are eventually completely dependent on others for care. It is important for the NA to encourage Independence. This helps keep the resident's mind and body as active as possible. Tasks should be challenging but not frustrating.

Front 8

Guidelines for communicating with residents who have Alzheimer's disease

Back 8

Always approach from the front, and do not start all the Resident. Smile and look happy to see the resident. Be friendly. Determine how close the resident wants you to be. Communicate in a calm area with little background noise and distraction. Always identify yourself and use the residents name. Continue to use the residents name during the conversation. Speak slowly using a lower to the voice. This is calming and easier to understand. Repeat yourself. Use the same words and phrases as often as needed. Use signs, pictures, gestures, or written words to help communicate. Break complex tasks into smaller, simpler ones. Give simple, step-by-step instructions as necessary. Assume people with AD can understand more than they can express. Do not talk about them as though they were not there or treat them like children.

Front 9

Guidelines for assisting with ADLs for residents who have Alzheimer's disease

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Front 10

Sundowning

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Front 11

Pacing and wandering

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Front 12

Agitation

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Front 13

Depression

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Front 14

Disruptiveness

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Front 15

Perseveration

Back 15

The repetition of words, phrases, questions, or actions. Many people with AD will perseverate. Do not try to stop a resident who is perseverating. Answer the questions, using the same words each time, until he stops. Even though responding over and over may frustrate you, it communicates comfort and security.

Front 16

Hallucinations and delusions

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Front 17

Violent Behavior

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Front 18

Hoarding and rummaging

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Front 19

Inappropriate social behavior

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Front 20

Inappropriate sexual behavior

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Front 21

Sleep disturbances

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Suspicion

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Front 23

Describe creative Therapies for residents with Alzheimer's disease

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