ConfusionConfusion
Many causesDrugs
Disease
Infection
Injury
Person may be
Angry
Restless
Depressed
Irritable
Caring for persons with Confusion
Follow care plan Provide safety Face person, speak clearly Explain procedures Maintain day/night cycle Be consistent Orient often Provide calm setting
Use clear, simple, easy to
understand instructions
Give time to respond
Give clear simple directions and answers
Dementia
Not normal part of aging
May be due to variety of diseases
Possible Causes:
Alcohol
Alzheimer's
Brain tumors
CVA
Multiple Sclerosis
Huntington’s Chorea
Parkinson's
Syphilis
Head Injury
Dementia
S&S
Memory Loss
Problems with language,
common tasks
Poor judgment
Getting lost in familiar places
Delirium
Sudden severe confusion, rapid
brain changes.
Occurs with physical or mental
illness
Usually temporary and reversible
Possible causes:
Infection
Poor nutrition
Hormone disorders
Alcohol, drugs
Alzheimer's Disease
Brain diseaseNerve cells are damaged and die
Effects:MemoryThinking, ReasoningJudgmentLanguageBehavior, MoodPersonality
Alzheimer's Disease
Gradual onsetGets worse and worse
Usually live 8 -10 years after onsetCause is unknown
S&SGradual loss of short term memoryAsking same question
over and over.Repeating the same storyForgetting how to do
everyday activitiesForgetting names, recent events, directionsGets lost in familiar
setting
Alzheimer's Disease
Progresses from memory loss to being totally dependent on others to coma to death
Alzheimer's Disease
Wandering
Disoriented, poor judgment. Allow to wander in safe areas.
Causes:May have no causeMay be looking for something or someoneDrugsStress, restlessness
anxiety
Alzheimer's Disease
Approach in calm, quite mannerMake eye contactUse calm gently voiceUse simple easy to understand instructions
Use gestures and body languageSpeak slowlyDo not use baby talkDo not rushDo not criticize
Alzheimer's Disease
Do not try to reason with resident or ask why they are upset: they cannot
understand you.
Follow set routine
Ensure safety
Encourage activities early in the day
Alzheimer's Disease
Do not restrain
Aggression may be due to physical discomfort
(elimination?)
Sexual gestures may be due to physical discomfort (wet depends?)
X
Alzheimer's Disease
Remember, the resident with Alzheimer's Disease:
Did not choose to have this disorder
Deserves to be treated with respect
Has same rights as all other residents