Topic 3: Planning Care for an Elderly Client With Memory Impairment




                                                           (Bing Images, 2011)
                                     Click on Image to scale larger view

  Objective

Ability to define impaired memory

Ability to reflect how impaired memory affects the elderly daily living

Ability to develop a quality care plan for a memory impaired elderly client

Activity 

1) Watch the selected YouTube videos presented in this blog about Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, and Delirium.
2) Use the Internet or the Library and research diseases/conditions that affect memory of elderly persons.
3) Devise a care plan for a hypothetical elderly client with memory impairment. Consider using NANDA, NIC, and NOC to relate specific nursing diagnosis, outcomes, interventions in developing a care plan for your client.

Suggested Readings 

California Pacific Medical Center. (2011). Diseases and conditions affecting memory. Retrieved from  http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/neurosciences/memory/memory_causes.html#More Information

McDougall, G. J. (2006). Care plan constructor: Impaired memory. Retreived from  http://coursewareobjects.elsevier.com/objects/elr/Ackley/NDH8e/constructor/careplan_105.php

Delirium in the Older Person: Family Guide Part 1 and 2

I apologize for any inconvenience, but you will have to click the following link to view Part 2. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/v/1eeDlkjQWhE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam

What is Alzheimer's disease?

The Purple Scarf Alzheimer's Animation

Dementia - Social Vulnerability

Screening Tools To Evaluate Cognitive Impairments

Screening tools, such as the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) assist nurses' in evaluating older adult's cognitive status to detect early changes in physiological status, learning ability, and response to treatment (Kurlowicz & Wallace, 1999). Compare the MMSE and SLUMS screening tools for similarities and differences. Do you find one more effective than the other? Explain.

Kurlowitz, L. & Wallace, M. (1999). The mini-mental status examination (MMSE). Retrieved from
http://www.isu.edu/nursing/opd/geriatric/MMSE.pdf

Division of Geriatric Medicine, St. Louis University. (2011). St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam. Retrieved from
http://aging.slu.edu/index.php?page=saint-louis-university-mental-status-slums-exam

Suggested Source to review:

Elder Guru. (2011). Keeping aging professionals informed. Retrieved from http://www.elderguru.com/
    

Topic 2: Understanding Memory

Objectives -
Ability to define memory
Ability to list 3 ways to improve memory
Distinquishes the difference between memory and learning

Activity 1 -  Review the attached video entitled, Mystery of Memory produced by Ivanhoe Broadcast News. Discuss your thoughts.