Alzheimer’s Disease 31 A Planning and Goals Goals for the patient may include supporting cognitive function, physical safety, reduced anxiety and agitation, adequate nutrition, improved communication, activity tolerance, self-care, socialization, and support and education of caregivers. Nursing Interventions Supporting Cognitive Function • Provide a calm, predictable environment to minimize confusion and disorientation. • Help patient feel a sense of security with a quiet, pleasant manner; clear, simple explanations; and use of memory aids and cues. Promoting Physical Safety • Provide a safe environment (whether at home or in the hospital) to allow patient to move about as freely as possible and relieve family’s worry about safety. • Prevent falls and other accidents by removing obvious hazards and providing adequate lighting; install handrails in the home. • Prohibit driving. • Allow smoking only with supervision. • Reduce wandering behavior with gentle persuasion and distraction. Supervise all activities outside the home to protect patient. As needed, secure doors leading from the house. Ensure that patient wears an identification bracelet or neck chain. • Avoid restraints because they may increase agitation. Promoting Independence in Self-Care Activities • Simplify daily activities into short achievable steps so that patient feels a sense of accomplishment. • Maintain patient’s personal dignity and autonomy. • Encourage patient to make choices when appropriate and to participate in self-care activities as much as possible. Reducing Anxiety and Agitation • Provide emotional support to reinforce a positive self-image.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:20:22 +0000