For early and middle stages of dementia, what are some steps/helpful guidelines when having patients perform bed mobility and transfers?
Answer
Early Stages
For early stages:
Provide verbal steps in 3-steps maximum to increase ability to understand task.
Order task sequence in a consistent manner across caregivers (CNAs and Nursing Staff)
Verbally review newly learned steps for transfers when added to resident care plan often as reduced short term memory for newly learned tasks will be present
For middle stages:
Reducing noise level in environment during tasks will increase success
Break down steps for tasks into 2 steps max.
Provide written cues of steps (taking into account visual acuity)
Residents may not be able to independently complete task, however they can repeat therefore providing verbal and visual cues along with demonstrating tasks with increase success
Renee Kinder, MS, CCC-SLP, RAC-CT
Renee currently serves as Director of Clinical Education for Encore Rehabilitation where she provides education for interdisciplinary team members related to clinical programming, Medicare regulations, documentation requirements, and evidenced based practice patterns. She maintains certification as a resident assessment coordinator (RAC-CT) from the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination (AANAC). She is an active member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association currently serving as Editor of Perspectives on Gerontology and acting as a member of ASHA’s Healthcare and Economics Committee. Additionally, she is a member of community faculty for the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, serves as an Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association of America, and acts as Vice President of Healthcare for the Kentucky Speech Language Hearing Association.
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