Introduction to Nursing Care Plan for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease affects many elderly patients and is a growing epidemic. A nursing care plan is an effective tool used in hospitals and nursing homes to provide the utmost care to individuals suffering from the condition.
Assessment of Needs
History – Obtaining a comprehensive medical history is important so that the nurse can assess physical, cognitive, and psychosocial status; including history of behaviors, impairments and medications.
Physical Assessment – The physical assessment should include observations of posture, mobility, speech, gait, coordination and response to stimuli.
Psychological Assessment – Assessing emotional health, self-concept and acceptance to help the patient cope with the disorder and understand how the disease will affect their daily life.
Cognitive Assessment – Evaluating orientation, memory and concentration by administering tests such as Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE).
Nursing Diagnosis
Impaired Communication – This occurs due to deterioration of language skills caused by the dementia.
Ineffective Management of Therapeutic Regimen – Patients show difficulty in focusing their attention, remembering and understanding instructions.
Situational Low Self-Esteem – Patients have low self-esteem due to their condition and lack of ability to function normally.
Risk for Injury – Patients are more prone to physical injury due to their declining cognitive abilities, memory deficits, and confusion.
Outcomes for Patient Goals
The patient goals are very significantly affected by this illness and must be considered when planning any objective. Depending on the severity of the condition, these goals may include: restoring or maintaining personal safety, improving communication abilities, managing stress and minimizing the risk of psychological distress.
Interventions
Nursing Interventions – The nurse should apply different techniques and strategies that are appropriate to the patient such as verbal encouragements and redirection, providing support, providing comfort, offering distractions, and assisting with ADLs.
Behavioral Management – Behavior management can help patients adjust to the changes in their lives and assist them with their daily activities.
Encouragement – It is important to offer positive reinforcement and proper guidance to help the patient maintain their morale.
Rationales
Encouragement – This intervention helps to reduce feelings of fear, anger, depression and hopelessness, and increases patients’ acceptance of the illness.
Providing Support – This helps to encourage them to comply with the medical regimen and care plan, thus helping to keep the patient engaged and motivated.
Redirection – Redirection helps to keep the patients focused and able to perform certain activities and tasks, thus avoiding incidental injuries.
Evaluation
After interventions have been implemented, there must be an ongoing evaluation of the patient’s progress and changes in behavior to ensure that goals are being met. An evaluation also provides necessary data to adjust the care plans as needed.
Conclusion
The nursing care plan for Alzheimer’s is highly individualized and is tailored according to the needs of the patient. This helps to ensure that the patient receives the highest level of care and support possible. Early recognition of signs and symptoms allow for any changes in the patient’s condition to be monitored, and interventions to be adjusted as needed.
FAQs
- What is a nursing care plan? A nursing care plan is an individualized plan of care designed to help provide the best care possible.
- How are nursing care plans individualized? Nursing care plans are specific to each patient, depending on factors such as medical history, physical and mental health, and any other relevant information.
- Is medication included in a nursing care plan? It can be, although it may be handled separately by a physician.
- Can the nursing care plan be modified? Yes, the plan should be regularly evaluated and modified as necessary.
- Are nursing care plans cost-effective? Yes, they are beneficial not only from a clinical standpoint, but also help to save time and money.
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