Nursing Assistant Certification Course

Week 15: Specialized Patient Care

Duration: 3 hours

I. Dementia and Cognitive Impairment (1 hour)
   A. Understanding Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
      1. Types and causes of dementia and cognitive impairment
         Example: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia are common types of dementia, while cognitive impairment can be caused by various factors such as brain injury, stroke, or age-related decline.
      2. Impact on patients' abilities and quality of life
         Example: Dementia and cognitive impairment can affect memory, communication, and daily functioning, leading to decreased independence and quality of life.
   B. Strategies for Caring for Patients with Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
      1. Effective communication techniques
         Example: Nursing assistants should use simple, clear language, maintain eye contact, and use visual cues when communicating with patients with dementia or cognitive impairment.
      2. Providing a safe and supportive environment
         Example: Nursing assistants can create a safe and supportive environment by minimizing distractions, using familiar objects and routines, and providing reassurance and validation to patients with dementia or cognitive impairment.

II. Care for Patients with Disabilities (1 hour)
   A. Understanding the Needs of Patients with Disabilities
      1. Types of disabilities and their impact on patients' abilities
         Example: Disabilities can be physical, such as paralysis or amputation, or cognitive, such as intellectual disability or autism, and may affect patients' ability to perform ADLs or communicate.
      2. The importance of individualized care for patients with disabilities
         Example: Providing personalized care that addresses the unique needs and abilities of patients with disabilities is essential for promoting their independence, dignity, and well-being.
   B. Strategies for Caring for Patients with Disabilities
      1. Adapting care techniques and equipment
         Example: Nursing assistants should be familiar with adaptive equipment, such as grab bars or wheelchair ramps, and modify care techniques as needed to accommodate patients' specific disabilities.
      2. Promoting autonomy and self-advocacy
         Example: Nursing assistants should encourage patients with disabilities to participate in their care and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-advocacy.

III. End-of-Life Care and Hospice (1 hour)
   A. Understanding End-of-Life Care and Hospice
      1. Goals of end-of-life care and hospice
         Example: The primary goal of end-of-life care and hospice is to provide comfort, symptom management, and emotional support to patients with terminal illnesses and their families.
      2. Interdisciplinary approach to end-of-life care
         Example: End-of-life care typically involves an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and spiritual counselors, working together to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
   B. Strategies for Providing End-of-Life Care
      1. Pain and symptom management
         Example: Nursing assistants play a crucial role in monitoring patients' pain and symptoms, reporting any changes to the healthcare team, and assisting with interventions, such as administering medications or repositioning for comfort.
      2. Providing emotional support and compassionate care
         Example: Nursing assistants should provide emotional support by listening to patients and their families, offering comfort, and being a reassuring presence during the end-of-life care process.

Upon completing Week 15, students will have developed skills and knowledge related to specialized patient care, including working with patients with dementia and cognitive impairment, disabilities, and those in end-of-life care. These skills are vital for providing compassionate and individualized care to patients with diverse needs in various healthcare settings.