NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

  NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

Chamberlain University College of Nursing

NR 304 Fundamental Skill

Prof. Christina Johnson

Assignment Due Date:

Memory Problem and Dementia

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 Introduction

Growing up as a kid at about 6years of age, I looked at people with memory issues and dementia as a problem which is diabolical or may be caused by a person’s wicked act or was inflected on a person due to envy. I started having different ideas about memory problems and dementia in my adolescent age, to me, it was a degeneration in the brain. So, what is dementia? “It is a progressive chronic disorder of mental processes caused by damage to the brain, change in personality, brain disease, and memory disorders” (Hubert, & VanMeter, 2018)NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines. An article on the American Academy of Neurology stated the brochure about memory problems and dementia was published November 13, 2013. The brochure provided other organizations where people could get more information about this disease and how well to screen and manage people with memory loss and dementia, some of these organization are NIH Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center, Eldercare locator, and National Memory screening.

Summary of the article on Memory Problem and Dementia

The main topics discussed in this brochure, which we will be discussing starting with, what are the causes of memory problems? Some of the cause of memory loss has been linked to stress, and anxiety or depression, head injury, stroke, to mention a few. If a person makes visiting the doctor for regular health checkups important, most of these issues mentioned could be avoided.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

Another topic discussed was, should a family member or friend go with you to the doctor? From my point of view, I would say yes because a close family or friend can explain better what they have noticed and the changes the person with this problem exhibits.

Another main topic discussed was, when should you be concerned about memory problems? When love ones start forgetting the names of people close to them, which is disheartening or forgetting if they have eaten, forget familiar locations, then that should be the best time to seek help from a specialist.

Another main topic discussed was, how can your family or friends help? Some of the ways family and friends can help is to continuously show love and have as much patience in redirecting the patient without hurting their feelings. Also, learn about helpful ways to manage dementia and join support groups.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

Some of the information could promote communication between patients and healthcare providers. The patient should make a list of what worries them about the disease and try to be as honest as possible and not assuming the healthcare provider should know everything just by looking at the patient, that would promote communication between patient and healthcare provider. Also, write or bring all medication-taking even, herbals or vitamins (Coleman, 2015).

Evaluation of the Brochure

When I took a good look at this brochure, the step-by-step breakdown explaining what leads to memory loss and dementia was well done. Those are ways one could avoid or live with it without it causing a strain in the family. The thing which could have been done to improve on in this brochure was the picture which was used showing the elder people. From my point of view, memory problems or dementia still affect other ages of life who have been involved in a brain injury, facing stress or depression from a sudden breakup or loss of a job.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

This topic got my interest because, when I think of memory problems and dementia, I cannot help but think of my grandparent then, and my parents and what will happen to my generation, if proper research to stop the high rate of memory problems and dementia is not available. Presently, I have a family member who is facing a memory loss problem, and how disheartening to see one’s love one forgets virtually almost everything and everyone. The only thing we can do is assist them with prescribed medication and show as much love as possible.

Going through the information from this brochure, I found it beneficial not only for incorporating it in patient education also helps families who are facing this kind of issue and for more knowledge on how to go through the day with ease when caring for a loved one. It also provided other support organizations where one can learn more to handle memory problems and dementia.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

This brochure was presented clearly from my point of view, it explained the meaning of memory problems and dementia. It broke down step by step what to do, how well to handle when told a person has dementia, and how to get the best from healthcare providers. It also provided more informational websites and organizations.

The research made regarding this brochure made me understand, healthcare-related research supports the information presented in this brochure. For instance, “we are pleased to support the efforts of The Joint Commission to help inform patients and families experiencing the significant challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias” (“The Joint Commission’s New Speak Up™ Brochure Offers Advice about Memory Problems and Dementia”, 2020). NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

From my point of view, the population of individuals who would benefit from this brochure is everyone, whether you know or don’t know anyone with memory problem or dementia, to be knowledgeable about this disease is the first way to prevent and handle it.

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This information would increase patient safety, and why I think so is because, if a visits his or her doctor for a physical exam, after testing or referred to a specialist, they will be able to determine the type of memory problem and what triggers it. Early detection can keep patients from harm to themselves or others.

Conclusion

Memory problems and dementia should not rub us of the joy of spending time remembering our love once or who we are, watching families, friends, neighbors care for loved ones going through the pains of memory problems and dementia is heartbreaking. Seeking medical care early and making sure we provide our healthcare provider with as much information as possible about one’s health would help. Taking time to go through the information on the brochure can go a long way in preventing or managing the problems associated with memory problems or dementia.

NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

References

Coleman, J. (2015). Pathways to Effective Communication for Healthcare Providers and

Caregivers | Family Caregiver Alliance. Caregiver.org. Retrieved 20 November

2020, from https://www.caregiver.org/pathways-effective-communication-healthcare-providers-and-caregivers.

VanMeter, K., & Hubert, R. (2018). Gould’s Pathophysiology for the Health Professions

(6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines

The Joint Commission’s New Speak Up™ Brochure Offers Advice about Memory

Problems and Dementia. Aan.com. (2020). Retrieved 20 November 2020, from

https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1221.

Speak Up™
To Prevent Falls
Take care of your health
• Exercise regularly. It builds strength and some exercises can improve your balance.
• Prevent dehydration. It can affect your balance.
• Have your vision checked.
• If your medicine leaves you drowsy, dizzy, weak or confused, tell your doctor. Ask how to
reduce these side effects or if you can take another medicine.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines
Take extra precautions
• Turn on the lights when you enter a room. Do not walk in the dark.
• Make sure your pathway is clear.
• Use the handrails on staircases.
• Sit in chairs that do not move and have arm rests to help you sit down and stand up.
• Wear shoes that have firm, flat, non-slip soles.
• Do not wear shoes that do not have backs on them.
• Replace the rubber tips on canes and walkers when they become worn.
Make small changes to your home
• Install timers, “clap-on” or motion sensors on your lights.
• Declutter regular pathways, such as to the bathroom and in poorly lit areas.
• Use night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and the hallway.
• Remove rugs that can slip. Rubber mats are a good replacement.
• Put frequently used items in easy-to-reach places that do not require using a step stool.
• Make sure it is easy to get in and out of your bed.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines
• Apply non-slip treads on stairs.
• Apply decals or waterproof, non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower.
• Install grab bars near the toilet and the bathtub or shower.
• A home care agency, personal care and support agency, or community program may be
able to help make changes to your home if you live alone and need help.
Ask for help in the hospital or nursing home
• Always use your call button to ask for help getting out of bed. It’s for your safety. You
may be weaker than you realize.
• Pay attention to what your doctors or nurses tell you about your risk of falling. A fall can
mean a longer hospital stay. Also, injuries from a fall can affect your health for the rest of
your life.
• Tell your doctor or nurse if your medicine makes you sleepy, light-headed, dizzy,
sluggish, unbalanced or confused.
• Do not feel embarrassed asking for help going to the toilet. You will need extra help until
you get stronger.NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines
• Wear non-slip socks or footwear.
• Lower the height of the bed and the side rails.
The goal of Speak Up™ is to help patients and their advocates become active in their care.
Speak Up™ materials are intended for the public and have been put into a simplified (i.e., easy-to-read) format to reach a wider audience. They are not meant
to be comprehensive statements of standards interpretation or other accreditation requirements, nor are they intended to represent evidence-based clinical
practices or clinical practice guidelines. Thus, care should be exercised in using the content of Speak Up™ materials. Speak Up™ materials are available to all
health care organizations; their use does not indicate that an organization is accredited by The Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission | May be copied and distributed | Department of Corporate Communications. NR224 Fundamentals: Skills RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines