Dementia Care Strategies Quiz

Person-Centered Care and Dementia Care

• Person-centered care prioritizes the individual's needs, preferences, and abilities, adapting support.
• Dementia symptoms vary and aren't always present simultaneously.
• Understanding the root causes behind behavioral changes helps in providing effective support.
• The 8 A's of Dementia are common symptom groups

The 8 A's of Dementia

• Amnesia:

  • Definition: Pathological forgetfulness, loss of memory.
  • Key Features: Forgetting recently learned events, repeating questions, and losing the ability to learn new information.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Maintain routine, repeat information, provide visual aids (calendars, whiteboards).

• Agnosia:

  • Definition: Loss of the ability to recognize people, sounds, objects, and their purpose.
  • Key Features: Difficulty recognizing familiar faces, objects, or sounds.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Introduce yourself with each interaction, use multiple senses to convey information, and offer one item at a time.

• Aphasia:

  • Definition: Loss of language, including impaired speech and/or comprehension.
  • Key Features: Difficulty expressing or understanding language, using incorrect words or reverting to a first language.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Use visual cues and gestures, speak slowly and in short phrases, remain patient.

• Anosognosia:

  • Definition: Loss of self-awareness; the person with dementia doesn't know they don't know.
  • Key Features: Unaware of changes, not recognizing the effects of the disease.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Validate feelings, try to avoid directly challenging, and use visual aids.

• Apraxia:

  • Definition: Loss of purposeful movement, planning, and sequencing steps.
  • Key Features: Difficulty with daily tasks, planning, or organizing actions, or even combining several movements in the correct order.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Simplify tasks, focus on one instruction at a time, and demonstrate steps.

• Altered Perception:

  • Definition: Loss of perceptual abilities (depth perception, 3D, and acuity) causing illusions.
  • Key Features: Misinterpreting what they see or hear; some may see or hear things that do not exist.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Use visible, large print signage, ensure clear contrasts, eliminate shadows.

• Attention Deficits:

  • Definition: Inability to sustain or shift attention, easily distracted or perseverates.
  • Key Features: Difficulty maintaining attention, easily distracted, or persevering on one thing.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Only one person speaks at a time, reduce distractions, use smaller groups, one item at a time.

• Apathy:

  • Definition: Loss of initiative and motivation; does not occur to the person.
  • Key Features: Difficulty initiating activities, loss of interest, may not participate.
  • Strategies for HCAs: Assist with task initiation, keep activity, props nearby, verbal/nonverbal cues, remain patient and positive.

Providing DIPP's for the Client Living with Dementia

• Dignity: Treat clients with respect, patience, and calmness. Avoid making them feel embarrassed.
• Independence: Encourage autonomy, support clients doing what they can.
• Individualized Care: Adapt care according to client's needs, preferences and abilities in all areas.
• Preferences: Respect personal choices, allow for meaningful items.
• Privacy: Respect the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
• Safety: Provide a calm and safe environment.

Providing Safe, PCC for Clients with Dementia

• Maintain safe Environment: Reduce hazards, remove harmful items, lock potentially dangerous areas.
• Provide Reassurance and communication: Use calm and soothing voice to explain actions, and avoid confrontation when agitated.
• Implement Preventive Measures: Ensure a safe environment, use unbreakable eating utensils.
• Supervise Risky Activities: Monitor clients closely during activities.

Promoting Fall Prevention, Encourage Safe Independence

• Promote Fall Prevention: Use clear walkways, proper lighting, and non-slip surfaces.
• Encourage safe independence: Provide assistive tools and explain tasks clearly.
• Engage Family and Caregivers: Equip family members to create a safe environment at home.
• Monitor Behavioral Triggers: Identify triggers for aggression or agitation.
• Prepare for Emergencies: Establish emergency plans.

PCC Dementia Care in the Dining Room

• Adapt to cognitive and physical abilities:
• Create a calm environment: Minimize noise and distractions.
• Promote frequent, small meals:
• Encourage hydration: Ensure access to fluids and monitor intake.
• Personalize the dining experience: Seat similarly able clients together, and use brightly colored plates.
• Address resistance with compassion: Use gentle redirection for resistance.
• Monitor nutritional intake: Keep track of eating and drinking.
• Engage and stimulate: Conversational cues can help food interest and engagement.

What the HCA Needs to Know Before Providing Care in the Dining Room

• Too much stimulation (noise and crowds) can confuse and frustrate.
• Too many items or a complex dining area may appear overwhelming.
• Some residents may no longer understand dining etiquette.

How the HCA can Provide Care in the Dining Room

• Minimize distractions.
• Offer food/drinks to engage in mealtime.
• Seat residents accordingly for improved social interaction.
• Make it easier for residents who struggle with certain aspects of dining.

Case Studies

• (Specific case study notes should be included if available.)*

PCC Dementia Care During Activities

• Address physical and safety needs: Disoriented or confused clients may struggle with safety.
• Enhance sleep: Follow consistent routines, limit caffeine, prevent additional distractions or stimuli.
• Promote daytime activities for better sleep: Encourage physical activity but not just before sleep.
• Create a calm environment: Ensure the space is quiet and free of distractions.
• Adapt activities to abilities: Use techniques to guide rather than forcing.
• Provide reassurance: Use a soothing and encouraging tone.
• Promote social interaction: Create opportunities for interaction with others to reduce loneliness or social isolation.
• Monitor for underlying issues: Remain vigilant in observing for signs of pain or discomfort.
• Ensure safety: Ensure safety to avoid risks.

What the HCA Needs to Know Before Providing Care During Activities

• Some people with dementia are easily confused by loud noises.
• Reactions to loud noises can vary widely.
• Loud noises or other stimuli can evoke past negative memories

How the HCA can Provide Care During Activities

• Minimize distractions
• Offer something to eat to keep them busy or focused
• Seat similar cognitive ability clients together
• Consider serving various meals at different times.

PCC Dementia Care During Personal Care

• Assist with hygiene and infection prevention: Support cleanliness and hygiene.
• Monitor for pain or discomfort: Regularly observe for signs of discomfort and difficulties.
• Respond to resistance with patience: Use calm, slow movements and positive re-enforcement.
• Support elimination needs: Assist and support bathroom needs and functions.
• Create a comfortable environment: Make the space accessible and comforting.

What the HCA Needs to Know Before Providing Care During Personal Care

• People with dementia may lose interest in hygiene or forget routines
• Ability to sequence activities may be affected
• Decline in physical abilities can affect independence.

How the HCA can Provide Care During Personal Care

• Involve family members

• Use techniques suggested by family members or relatives.

• Offer choices in clothing

• Simplify steps

PCC Dementia Care During Lifts and Transfers

• Address cognitive and physical limitations: Disorientation or misunderstanding of reason or purpose of lifts or transfers
• Ensure safety: Use correct equipment and appropriate techniques
• Communicate clearly: Explain each step of the process in simple terms.
• Create a calm environment: Minimize distractions in surroundings.
• Adapt to abilities: Assist as much as needed to avoid confusion or potential risk.
• Provide reassurance: Validate feelings and explain the purpose.
• Follow individual plans: Observe plan to best address needs appropriately.
• Monitor for discomfort: Watch for signs of pain, fear or agitation.
• Engage the client: Keep clients calm and engaged.

What the HCA Needs to Know Before Providing Care During Lifts & Transfers

• Residents may not understand the purpose of lifts and transfers
• Residents may fall or be reluctant to comply due to incontinence
• Difficulties understanding instructions
• Residents may react negatively to restraint use to reduce restlessness.

How the HCA can Provide Care During Lifts & Transfers

• Ensure the person understands the process
• Keep the room quiet and distraction free
• Continue to reassure
• Work cooperatively with two staff or aids
• Alternatives, if possible, before using restraints.