Module 2

Communication

 Exchange of information

 Sender sends message

 Receiver receives and processes message

 Feedback is provided

Verbal communication

 Speaking words Non-verbal communication

 Body language, facial expressions, body position or stature

Know examples of verbal and non-verbal communication

Error in documentation

 Must use black ink

 Cannot use pencil, erasable ink, white out, or white out tape

 One line through the mistake, write error above, and initials

Attitude

 Always maintain a positive attitude

 Always inform the resident of everything that you are going to do

 Be gentle with resident care

 Be calm with resident care

Three spears of orientation

 Person  Place  Time

Disorientation

 A state of mental confusion

Dementia

 Does not affect intelligence

 Affects short term memory

 Usually long term memory stays intact

 Progressive and degenerative

 The resident may not recognize their care giver

 If the resident does not recognize you, re-introduce yourself each time, explain the reason that you are there, and who you are

• A group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities and can become severe enough to interfere with daily life.

The area of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease

 Memory

 Judgment  Thinking

It is important that the staff of an Alzheimer’s unit provide input to the team so that resident’s needs are met and care plan is updated.

Physical changes with aging

 Gray hair

 Wrinkles

 Loss of fat pads especially in the buttock and feet

 Changes in bone density

 Loss of teeth

 Age spots (senile lentigines)

 Skin loses elasticity

 Blood vessels narrow

 Decrease in peristalsis

 Poor eyesight

 Loss of hearing

Depression

 A feeling of hopelessness and helplessness

 Will often withdraw

 May refuse to eat

 May sit in the dark

 May sleep all the time

 Will refuse activities

Delirium

 Medications and their interaction with other medications

 Infections

 Lack of sleep

 Usually short term

Reality Orientation

 Inform the resident who, where they are, the day, the time, the weather, the season, and the next holiday.

 Orientation board is located in each unit and describes, the day, the date, the weather, and the next holiday

 Effective in early stages of dementia

Mental confusion and emotional disruption which makes it difficult to think, remember, sleep, pay attention, etc.

Validation

 Effective in moderate to late stage dementia

Reminiscing

 indulge in enjoyable recollection of past event

Sun downing

 Behavior changes that occur starting late afternoon or when the sun starts setting

 The resident will demonstrate behavior such as pacing, wandering or elopement

 Use diversional activities

 Let them wander safely

Aggressive behavior

 May be verbal or physical

 It usually is because of frustration because the resident is unable to explain needs

 Speak in a calm voice tone

 Maintain direct eye contact

 Anticipate needs

 Give time to quiet down

 Listen to what the resident is trying to say

 Ensure your body language is not threating

 Attempt to redirect behavior

Behaviors that disguise real feelings

 Constantly ringing the call bell

 Kicking the furniture

 Yelling or calling out

 Striking out at the caregiver or other residents

Reasons that residents may display negative behaviors

 Feeling of uselessness, loneliness, boredom, loss of physical ability, memory lapses, death of a friend or loved one, and they may be in pain

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

 Physical needs

 Security needs

 Social needs

 Status needs or self-esteem needs

 Self-actualization, self-fulfillment

Stages of Development

 Review in your textbook

Medical Terminology

 Review prefixes, roots, and suffixes

 Review commonly used abbreviations

Objective Information (Sign)

 Facts

 Confirmed by use of senses

Subjective Information (Symptom)

 Opinion

 Unable to confirm with sense

 Information offered by another source

Know how to convert to military time

 Add 12 for time after noon

 Seconds and minutes do not change

 Midnight is written 0000 or 2400