Level 3 HSC S9_ Provide Support to Individuals with Dementia Assignment Sample Answers

Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care Answers

Aim of this Unit HSC S9

This unit focuses on developing skills and knowledge that are required for supporting people who have dementia. Here you will learn what dementia does to an individual, how their memory, communication, daily life and behaviours are affected by it. Here in this unit, you will also learn how individuals with dementia should be given person-centred care, in which you respect their dignity, rights, and preferences. With the help of this course, learners will be able to understand how to communicate with them effectively, support their emotional well-being, and work patiently and positively with the individuals and with their families. Overall, the unit aims to help care workers provide respectful, supportive and safe care to individuals with dementia so that their quality of life improves and they feel safe and happy. 

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AC 1.1. Summarise legislation and frameworks in relation to the care and support of an individual with dementia

Answer:

Laws and policies are significant in dementia care as they assist in safeguarding the human rights, safety and well-being of persons with dementia. They also instruct care workers on the way to offer the relevant and respectful assistance.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is one of the important laws. This legislation aids those people who may be in trouble with making choices on their own. According to it, capacity should be the general assumption of each individual unless proven otherwise. When one cannot make any decision and has dementia, then any decision made on his or her behalf must be in his or her best interests and must be the least restrictive.

The other law of significance is the Care Act 2014. This act is geared towards ensuring well-being and also to make sure that people get the support they need. It also emphasises the value of person-centred care and promotes the involvement of individuals and their families in the planning of the care and support.

The Equality Act 2010 is another factor that contributes to dementia care. It helps to shield people against discrimination and also to ensure that those with dementia receive fair and dignified treatment in health and social care environments.

The other important framework is the Dementia Strategy that seeks to enhance the quality of care and support that can be offered to persons with dementia. It promotes timely diagnosis, enhanced awareness and services.

In short, laws and models give clear guidelines to the care workers. They make sure that people with dementia are treated with dignity, their rights are not violated, and they get safe and person-centred treatment.

AC1.2. Explain how agreed ways of working uphold the rights of an individual with dementia.

Answers:

The policies, procedures and guidelines outline the agreed ways of working, which are the guidelines and procedures that care workers know of in the workplace. These are useful in ensuring that the dementia patients are given safe, respectful and person-centred care, with their rights not violated.

Publicising Person-Centred Care

Consented working modes promote the delivery of person-centred care by the care workers. It is the aspect of concentration on the needs, preferences and life history of the individual. Indicatively, a dementia patient might have routines they like, hobbies or food preferences. These preferences must be respected to sustain their dignity and independence.

Supporting Decision Making

Concurring modes of working adhere to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. According to this act, a person should be left to make his or her own choices as much as possible. The care workers should take responsibility for ensuring that an individual is in a position to make decisions unless it can be shown otherwise. In case the person is not in a position to make a choice, any form of action should be made in the best interest of such an individual.

Securing Persons against Injury

Agreed ways of working also include work-related protective procedures. Such processes aid in the staff becoming aware of indicators of abuse, neglect or inadequate care and reporting the same. The safeguarding policies contribute to the security of people with dementia and guarantee their well-being and safety.

Ensuring Confidentiality and Privacy

Agreed methods of working demand that care workers maintain the personal information as confidential. The details of the person must be provided to the authorised professionals only when needed. This aids in the observation of the privacy and dignity of the individual.

AC1.3. Explain how the best interests of an individual with dementia are met through care and support.

Answers:

Advocating the best interests of a person with dementia would entail ensuring that the care or any decisions made on behalf of such a person are favourable to their well-being, dignity and rights. The needs, wishes and preferences of the person should always be in mind for the care workers when attending to him/her.

• Adherence to Principles of the Mental Capacity Act
  
  According to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in case one is incapable of making a particular decision due to dementia, any form of decision made on their behalf should be in their best interests. The care workers have to take into account the past wishes, beliefs and values of the person before they make decisions.
  
  
• Engaging the Individual in the Decisions
  
  Dementia does not mean that one should not be involved in making decisions that relate to their care as much as possible. Simple language can be employed by care workers, as well as visual cues or additional time to fine-tune the person and articulate his/her choices. This makes them feel appreciated and accommodated.
  
  
• Cooperation with Family and Other Professionals
  
  Decisions can be made sometimes in the presence of family members, carers and healthcare professionals. They are able to give significant details regarding the likes of the individual, habits and lifetime. This assists in making sure that the service to be delivered is what the person would prefer.
  
  
• Delivering Person-Centred Care
  
  Nursing and attention must be founded on the preferences and individual needs. As an illustration, their identity can be preserved by respecting their daily routine, cultural beliefs, hobbies and choices of food to enhance their quality of life.
  
  
• Restriction of the Least Restrictive Alternative
  
  In decision making, care workers should always ensure that they adopt an option that places as much freedom and independence to the individual as they can, and yet maintain their safety.

AC 1.4. Explain what is meant by providing care and support in the least restrictive way.

Answer:

The least restrictive manner of care and support involves assisting someone with dementia but enabling them to be as free, independent and make choices as much as possible. Care workers are not supposed to restrain an individual unless it is important to ensure his or her safety.

• Following Legal Principles
  
  According to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the act should be less restrictive when it comes to taking any action on behalf of a person who is out of the capacity to make decisions. This implies that care workers should make a decision that does not meddle with the rights and freedom of the person, as well as one that does not jeopardise their wellbeing.
  
  
• Promoting Independence
  
  People with dementia ought to be persuaded to do things on their own, provided there is the opportunity. To illustrate, they could still dress themselves, select their clothes, or even engage in day-to-day activities. Honouring independence assists in sustaining confidence and ego.
  
  
• Sustainable Voting, Choice and Control
  
  Care workers ought to engage the affected in making choices concerning their care. As an illustration, they should be left to decide what they should eat, when they should sleep, or what they would prefer to do. This assists the individual who feels respected and valued.
  
  
• Trade-Offs between Freedom and Safety
  
  In some cases, limitations can be necessary to ensure that the individual is not harmed. As an example, in case of confusion of the individual outside the home, he or she may be supervised. Nevertheless, care workers must always make attempts to find safer options, which would leave the person with a certain degree of freedom.

AC 1.5. Summarise the rights of carers

Answer:

Carers are significant contributors to the support of dementia patients. Since caring is both physical and emotional, carers possess their own rights, which contributes to the fact that they are supported and feel appreciated as well.

1. Right to an Assessment
   Careers are entitled to a carer assessment under the Care Act 2014. This analysis examines the needs of the carer, the impact of caring on their life, as well as what they might be in need of. It assists in determining how their well-being may be improved.
   
   
2. Right to Support Services
   The carers are allowed to get assistance in cases where they are struggling with their caring roles. This can be respite care, training and emotional support or social service assistance. These services assist the carers to handle their role better.
   
   
3. Right to Merit Care Planning
   The carers usually have much information regarding the person and can give useful information regarding the needs, routines and preferences of the person. They are entitled to participate in the discussions and care planning of the person with dementia.
   According to the constitution, the right to information and advice is provided by the constitution in the fourth article (6).
   
   Practical information regarding dementia, the services offered, and the methods of supporting the affected person safely should be made available to the carers. Availability of information will enable the carers to make well-informed choices and feel more comfortable with their job.
   
   
4. Right to Claim of their Well-being
   Carers are entitled to take care of their health and wellbeing. They need not be coerced into taking care when it will have a bad impact on their physical or emotional well-being.

Carers are entitled to significant rights that enable them to get assistance, details and appreciation. The safeguarding of these rights will guarantee that the carers can go on with the effective care provision, and at the same time, their well-being will be maintained.

AC 2.1. Explain how different types of dementia influence an individual’s ability to communicate and interact

Answer:

The brain is susceptible to various types of dementia. Owing to this reason, people affected by dementia might undergo a change in the ways of communication, perception of people and communication between them and other communication participants.

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. Individuals in this condition might not find the appropriate words, lack awareness of what a conversation or other people are saying. With the progression of the condition, the communication can slow down, and the individual can repeat the questions or lose their names.
• Vascular Dementia: Thinking and concentration may be compromised in vascular dementia. People will not be able to process information as fast, and conversations with them can be challenging. They might take a longer time to comprehend questions and answer.
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Individuals with Dementia with Lewy bodies might be confused, have hallucinations and attention alterations. These symptoms may influence their communication and interaction with other people. Sometimes they can speak fluently, and sometimes they can appear lost in what they are saying or even appear to be distracted.
• Frontotemporal Dementia: Frontotemporal dementia principally impacts behaviour, personality and language. People can be unable to comprehend social rules, regulate their behaviour or speak using proper language in a conversation.

The communication and interaction with different types of dementia are impacted differently. Others might have problems with memory and language, whereas others might experience behavioural or cognitive alteration. Care workers should be understanding, and they should adjust their communication styles to suit every person.

AC 2.2. Explain the impact on an individual’s communication skills and interactions of:

• sensory impairment
• health needs
• environment
• actions of carers or others"

Answer:

The way in which a person with dementia communicates and interacts with other people can be influenced by a number of factors. These are the factors that can, at times, complicate the communication process of the individual.

• Sensory Impairment: The communication can be complicated for a person with dementia because of sensory impairments, like hearing loss or bad eyesight. As an illustration, in case the person is not hearing clearly, he or she may get confused about what is said or fail to respond to others. They can also have poor eyesight that can result in difficulties in recognising faces, reading signs or detecting body language. This may create confusion/frustration when communicating.
  
  
• Health Needs: Communication may also be influenced by health conditions. As an illustration, pain, infections, tiredness or side effects of medication may make the person uncomfortable or disoriented. In case an individual is not well, he or she might lack concentration, be unable to communicate or participate in communication with other people.
  
  
• Environment: Communication may be significantly influenced by the environment. The person with dementia can become overwhelmed or anxious due to a noisy and busy environment or a new environment. This may make it difficult for them to concentrate on what other people are telling them. The individual would generally feel relaxed in a calm, quiet, and familiar environment, and this enhances communication.
  
  
• Actions of Carers or Others: Communication can also be affected by the behaviour and approach of carers or other people. Communication might be complicated in case carers are talking fast, use complicated words, or do not provide the person with time to reply. Nevertheless, when carers can talk with clarity, be patient and apply a supportive body language, it would help the person with dementia to understand and relate easily.

AC 2.3. Compare a reality orientation approach with a validation approach to interactions

Answer:

Different strategies can be applied when assisting people with dementia to communicate and interact. Reality orientation and validation are the two approaches that are common. The two are both intended to assist the individual, but in varied ways.

Reality Orientation Approach

Reality orientation is aimed at ensuring that the individual is in touch with the present environment and time. Care workers can be reminded of the date and or time and place or people around them. As an example, a care worker may say, Monday is Monday, and we are in the care home.

This tactic can assist people with dementia to become more aware and have better memory, particularly in the initial stages. It could also make them feel more secure and less bewildered in the world. But when it comes to the individual with a strong belief in something which is not true, and once again correcting him/her may lead to frustration or distress.

Validation Approach
The validation method is aimed at acknowledging and allowing the feelings and emotions of the individual instead of rectifying them. Rather than informing the individual that he/she is wrong, the care worker will attempt to know the significance of what he/she is saying.

As an illustration, when an individual with dementia tells the care worker that they want to go home and visit their mother, the care worker can answer by discussing their mother or enquiring about their recollections. This strategy makes the individual feel empathised, valued and emotionally intact.

Comparison of the Two Approaches
The primary distinction between the two methods is that of confusion. Reality orientation is used to correct and remind the individual of facts, whereas validation is used to accept the feelings and experiences of the person. The first kind of dementia is usually more amenable to reality orientation, and validation proffers more in the later stages of the dementia when the impairment of memory is more pronounced.

AC 3.1. Explain how strategies developed from knowledge of the individual’s personality and life history can be used to support individuals with dementia.

Answers:

It is quite significant to determine the personality, background and life history of a person when treating somebody with dementia. This aspect aids care workers to offer person-centred care, recognising the identity, preferences and experiences of the individual.

Knowing about Individual Preferences

The carers should know the likes, dislikes and routine of the person so that they can support him or her in a manner he or she is used to. To illustrate, when an individual has always liked to wake up early or take tea at a specific time, it is possible to follow the same practice that will make one feel safer and less worried.

Applying Life History to Communication

The carers can understand someone by knowing their past, like their job, hobbies or family life, as a way of initiating any meaningful conversation. The conversation about the known memories or activities can simplify the process of communication with people with dementia and make them feel appreciated and comprehended.

Fostering Emotional WellbeingBeing aware of the personality of the individual can assist the carers know how he will respond to some situations. As an illustration, in case an individual was used to socialising, group activities should be encouraged to lift his or her spirit and alleviate his/her sense of isolation.

Lessening disorientation and agonies

The familiar objects that the person has encountered before may be used to make them feel more relaxed and peaceful with the help of music or an activity. To take an example, music that they liked during their youth might have positive reminiscence and alleviate anxiety.

Provision of Person-Centred Care

Care plans or life story work typically capture information regarding the life history of the individual. It can assist everyone who works in care in getting to know this person better and offering the same care with respect to identity and dignity.

AC 4.1. Describe how the experience of an individual’s dementia may impact carers.

Answer:

Being a carer of a dementia patient can be very overwhelming to the carer. Dementia can result in the person in question having more needs, something that is likely to impact the carer emotionally, physically and socially.

• Emotional Impact: Among all the emotions, carers can feel stressed, sad, frustrated or anxious. It will be frustrating to see a loved one slowly lose their memory and independence. Carers might also experience grief since the personality and behaviour of the person change with time.
  
  
• Physical Impact: Care giving may be a physical strain. Carers might be required to help in day-to-day chores like dressing, bathing or mobility. This may eventually cause exhaustion, sleep deprivation and physical overwork, particularly when the person requires to be under constant attention.
  
  
• Social Impact: The carers might not have time to socialise with friends and family or even engage in any social activity. Their duties can also restrict their working or taking of breaks, which at times can make them feel isolated or lonely.
  
  
• Financial Impact: In other cases, carers can cut down their working hours or quit working totally to nurse the person. This will have an impact on their earnings and economic stability.
  
  
• Impact on Relationships: Relationships between the carer and the individual may also be affected by dementia. Alterations in behaviour, memory impairment and communication problems can lead to misunderstanding or frustrations.

AC 4.4. Describe how conflicts of interest are managed between the carer and an individual with dementia.

Answer:

There may be instances of conflict of interest between a carer and a person with dementia. This could happen where the desires of the person are at variance with those of the carer on what is most appropriate for their safety or health. As much as possible, these situations must be handled with care and respect.

Adherence to the Rights of the Individual

The patient with dementia is also a person who has rights and ought to be included in making decisions regarding their care, where possible. Workers attending to the person are expected to listen to their desires and attempt to honour them, but in a way that they will not be in danger.

Following Legal Guidelines

With the help of the rules of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, it is possible to cope with conflicts. According to this law, people are supposed to be assisted in their own decisions in case they can make them. In case of any decision, any decision made should be in their best interests, in case they are unable to make the decision.

Discussion and Communication

Conflicts can be sorted by means of open communication between the carer, the individual and other professionals. Communicating the situation and clarifying why some decisions are taken might allow all the people to learn about each other's opinions.

Inclusion of other Professionals

Other professionals, like managers, social workers or healthcare professionals, may be engaged in case of a disagreement. They would be able to give advice and support in order to make sure that the choices made are balanced and aimed at the well-being of the individual.

Finding a Balanced Solution

As it has happened in most scenarios, conflicts may be solved by reaching a compromise that is in the best interests of the individual as well as their safety. The goal is to offer care that promotes the dignity of the person at the same time safeguarding their health and wellbeing.