Assignment 2.2
It is 1 year since Aggy was diagnosed as living with dementia and although the medication has helped her, she is becoming increasingly confused, forgets to eat and drink and when reminded, she takes a mouthful of food and immediately walks away. Aggy walks up and down the corridors all day and sometimes does so at night. The care team are becoming increasingly worried that Aggy will become malnourished and frail due to her lack if eating and constant walking.
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How can
Aggy’s life be better managed within the care home?
First, we
need to find out the root cause for her wandering behaviour. Could it be that
Aggy is bored restless as little to do to occupy her or wishes to explore the
environment or wishes to go somewhere or finds difficult to relax in this
environment or is in pain or uncomfortable or frightened. When we will be able
to find the exact root cause for this behaviour, then we can put a strategy for
Aggy to eliminate or minimise the cause in order to manage her life better
within home.
·
How could
Aggy be encouraged to eat and drink?
Person
centred approach may help her to eat or drink. Providing her choice of food and
drink may help her to eat and drink. Talking to her family and friends we may
be aware of eating and drinking behaviour. Prompt encouragement is also
required. Also, discussing issue with colleagues, supervisor, manager or other
health professional may help to find a way to manage better.
·
How can the
issue of Aggy’s sleep and rest be managed?
Exercise sometimes help to better sleep. Also
bright light therapies help in some occasion. Caffeinated drink or milky drink
before bedtime may help Aggy to have better sleep. Nightmare or hallucination
sometimes cause sleep disturbance. Discussing with GP may help to resolve if
this is the case. We have to consider sleeping environment such as less noise,
comfortable bed, right room-temperature, less lightings after Aggy to fall on
sleep to avoid getting up in the midnight.
