Dementia Assignment Sample

Section1: Description of the case

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Mr. Smith, age 72, has been diagnosed with dementia. Dementia is a neurological disorder that causes a steady deterioration in cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and reasoning. Mr. Smith's dementia is advanced, hurting his overall functionality greatly. Now considering the ICF components the actual condition will be described combining with the contextual factors showing the impacts on his level of functioning:

Impairments: Mr. Smith has a number of disabilities as a result of his dementia. He suffers from significant memory loss, finding it difficult to recall recent events, people's s, and even familiar faces. His cognitive handicap makes it difficult for him to focus, solve issues, and make judgements. He also struggles with language, sometimes having to find the correct words or follow discussions. These deficits add to the bewilderment and disorientation.

Everyday Activity Restrictions: Mr. Smith's dementia limits his capacity to complete everyday activities independently. He needs help with basic self-care duties including clothing, grooming, and meal preparation. He is unable to adequately handle his meds and must be constantly monitored to guarantee his safety. Furthermore, his decreased memory and cognitive ability make it difficult for him to interact.

Social Participation Restrictions: Due to his dementia, Mr. Smith faces significant social participation restrictions. He experiences difficulties in maintaining social relationships as he struggles to recognize familiar faces and remember people's s.

Section 2: Description and Justification of Your intervention

• As an occupational therapist and public health expert, my involvement is critical in addressing Mr. Smith's dementia-related issues. I have the knowledge and skills to diagnose and comprehend his individual impairments and limits. I can create personalised intervention plans targeted at encouraging independence in everyday tasks, improving cognitive function, and increasing social involvement. My therapies may include cognitive rehabilitation, memory aids, and time management measures. As a public health practitioner, I may also advocate for legislation and programmes that raise dementia awareness, assist carers, and develop dementia-friendly surroundings.
• As a public health expert, one intervention I may suggest to improve Mr. Smith's functioning is the creation and execution of a dementia-friendly community programme. This programme seeks to establish a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for people living with dementia and their carer's. Several components of the programme may be included, such as education and awareness campaigns to minimise stigma and promote knowledge of dementia. Workshops and training workshops for community people, healthcare professionals, and service providers to improve their knowledge and abilities in dementia care can be organised (Mansfield, 2006). Furthermore, the programme can focus on establishing dementia-friendly physical places, such as improved signage, clear navigation systems, and changes to public areas to fit the requirements of people with dementia. Collaboration with local companies, organisations, and community groups may be developed to promote dementia-friendly practises and guarantee that people with dementia have access to necessary services and can engage in community activities (BENDER, 2017). By implementing this dementia-friendly community programme, I will be able to increase social involvement, decrease isolation, and improve the general well-being of people like Mr. Smith, while also providing a supportive atmosphere for their carer's.
• The below given table summarizing the components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) that the intervention to treat Mr. Smith's dementia may target:

Section 3: Identification of another health professional and description of their role

• A neuropsychologist, in addition to an occupational therapist, may be a member of the inter-professional team working with Mr. Smith. A neuropsychologist is a person who studies the link between brain function and behaviour, notably in those who have neurological diseases like dementia. Smith's neuropsychologist would undertake extensive cognitive examinations to examine his unique cognitive problems and identify the amount of his cognitive loss (Mesulam, 2000). They can assist to influence therapy and intervention options by providing vital insights into the nature and course of Mr. Smith's dementia. Neuropsychologists can also help Mr. Smith plan and implement cognitive rehabilitation programmes that are suited to his specific needs (Smith, 2013). These programmes use specific exercises and tactics to improve cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and executive functioning. Mr. Smith can benefit from counselling on memory methods, compensatory strategies, and cognitive training exercises from the neuropsychologist in order to maximise his cognitive performance and keep independence in everyday tasks for as long as feasible (Okun, 2007).
• The role of a neuropsychologist in Mr. Smith's care targets the following components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF):

Body Functions: The neuropsychologist assesses and evaluates Mr. Smith's cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and executive functions, which fall under the domain of body functions (Stevens, 2019).

Activities and Participation: By understanding Mr. Smith's cognitive impairments, the neuropsychologist can contribute to the development of strategies and interventions to improve his performance in daily activities and enhance his participation in meaningful tasks (Cerejeira, 2012).

Section 4 : Specification and professionalism characteristic

Three characteristics of professionalism that I will demonstrate when conducting my intervention are:

Integrity: I will maintain a high level of integrity by guiding my actions and judgements by ethical values and professional standards. I will preserve secrecy and respect Mr. Smith's and his family's privacy. In addition, I will speak truthfully and clearly, offering accurate information regarding the intervention and its potential results. (Porteous, 2006).

Cooperation: I plan to aggressively engage in inter-professional cooperation by collaborating with other healthcare experts engaged in Mr. Smith's treatment, such as the neuropsychologist. I will effectively communicate, exchange information, and offer my knowledge to the development of a complete and coordinated care plan. In addition, I will include Mr. Smith and his family as decision-making partners, respecting their opinion and including them in defining objectives and deciding the best method for his care. (Porteous, 2006).

Continuous Professional Development: I will demonstrate my dedication to lifetime learning and professional growth by remaining current on the most recent research, evidence-based practises, and innovations in dementia care. I will aggressively pursue professional growth opportunities, attend appropriate courses and conferences(Porteous, 2006).

I can develop trust, assure ethical practise, and contribute to the overall efficacy and success of the intervention for Mr. Smith's benefit by exemplifying these professional attributes. To consistently improve my skills and knowledge, I will actively seek chances for professional development, attend appropriate courses and conferences, and participate in reflective practise. I can deliver the greatest quality of care to Mr. Smith and ensure that my interventions are evidence-based and aligned with current best practises by being updated and consistently improving my practise.

Section 5: Description and justification of person-centred strategies

Two person-centred strategies that I will implement to ensure that my practice is person-centred when working with individuals like Mr. Smith are:

• Individualised Care Planning: For Mr. Smith, I will prioritise the development of an individualised care plan that takes into consideration his specific requirements, preferences, and ambitions. This will entail completing detailed assessments, which will include input from Mr. Smith and his family, in order to understand his individual skills, weaknesses, and priorities. Based on this information, I will work with the inter-professional team to create a care plan that addresses his unique issues while also promoting his general well-being. Mr. Smith's care plan will be adaptive and fluid, allowing for continual alterations as his health develops..

Justification: Implementing an individualised care plan ensures that Mr. Smith's interventions and supports are targeted to his specific needs. We respect his autonomy and preferences by incorporating him and his family in the decision-making process. This method empowers Mr. Smith by giving him authority over his treatment and fostering a collaborative therapy relationship between us.

• Active Listening and Communication: When dealing with Mr. Smith and his family, I will prioritise active listening and effective communication. This entails fully understanding their worries, needs, and priorities. I will establish a friendly and empathic environment in which they may express themselves freely. I will affirm their experiences and feelings by actively listening, ensuring that they feel heard and understood.

Justification: Person-centred care requires active listening and good communication. I may learn about Mr. Smith and his family's distinct opinions, values, and ambitions by actually listening to them. With this awareness, I can personalise my interventions, give relevant information, and address their individual needs.

References

• BENDER, M. P. (2017). Inhabitants of a Lost Kingdom: A Model of the Subjective Experiences of Dementia. Cambridge University Press.
• Cerejeira, J. (2012). Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Front. Neurol.
• Gladman, J. R. (2018). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Its Value to Rehabilitation and Geriatric Medicine. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 71(6), 275-278.
• Kenigsberg, P.-A. (2015). Dementia beyond 2025: Knowledge and uncertainties. Sage Journals.
• Maki, Y. (2018). Rehabilitation to live better with dementia. Wiley Online Library .
• Mansfield, J. C. (2006). Identify and describe one intervention you may offer in the role you have defined to promote this person's level of functioning. The Journals of Gerontology, 61(4), P202–P212.
• Mesulam, M.-M. (2000). Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. Oxford University Press.
• Okun, M. S. (2007). Deep Brain Stimulation and the Role of the Neuropsychologist. The Clinical Neuropsychologist Volume 21 Issue 1.
• Porteous, T. (2006). Preferences for self-care or professional advice for minor illness: a discrete choice experiment. British Journal of General Practice 56 (533), 911-917.
• Power, E. (2011). Applying the WHO ICF framework to communication assessment and goal setting in Huntington's Disease: A case discussion. Journal of Communication Disorders, 44(3), 261-275.
• Smith, G. E. (2013). Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Definitions, Diagnosis, and Treatment. OUP USA.
• Stevens, R. S. (2019). Practice parameter: Management of dementia (an evidence-based review). American Academy of Neurology.