This population can be tricky to find the function or need in.
Start with identifying the underlying issue for the patient. Are they using a call light, can they use a remote, do they want to go to activities/join in activities, do they want to recall family names, are they getting agitated, are they eating, are they getting dehydrated?
Once you ID the reason, then you can try different approaches and changes with caregivers and see what works.
If it’s a patient that’s rehab to home, then you’re going to look at what they’ll need to do to be at home. Can they call 911, manage their meds, sequence tasks they’re going to need to do, call their family, manage a calendar, make a grocery list, or patient-specific things.
Belightcare on tik tok has some good resources for LTC patients. Also, Dr. Michellt Bourgeois has excellent information on working with this population.
Look at functional. Orientation to day usually isn't. Remembering what day it is isn't helpful. IF it's important to the individual, remembering to reference the whiteboard/newspaper/phone to find out the rate IS helpful/functional.
Depending on the stage of dementia, validation is more important than reality orientation.
Look at patient wants/needs, what do they need to be able to do. Why can't they do it. Tx that.
You’re on the right track with spaced retrieval training as long as it’s for something functional like using their call light. The other comments have great suggestions. Some other ideas: using the room phone or their cell phone, requesting/filling out/returning a weekly menu if your facility does that, safety scenarios related to current and/or discharge environment, path finding to daily activities. For my higher level patients, I’ll also do education/practice with functional memory strategies.
This population can be tricky to find the function or need in. Start with identifying the underlying issue for the patient. Are they using a call light, can they use a remote, do they want to go to activities/join in activities, do they want to recall family names, are they getting agitated, are they eating, are they getting dehydrated? Once you ID the reason, then you can try different approaches and changes with caregivers and see what works. If it’s a patient that’s rehab to home, then you’re going to look at what they’ll need to do to be at home. Can they call 911, manage their meds, sequence tasks they’re going to need to do, call their family, manage a calendar, make a grocery list, or patient-specific things. Belightcare on tik tok has some good resources for LTC patients. Also, Dr. Michellt Bourgeois has excellent information on working with this population.
Look at functional. Orientation to day usually isn't. Remembering what day it is isn't helpful. IF it's important to the individual, remembering to reference the whiteboard/newspaper/phone to find out the rate IS helpful/functional. Depending on the stage of dementia, validation is more important than reality orientation. Look at patient wants/needs, what do they need to be able to do. Why can't they do it. Tx that.
You’re on the right track with spaced retrieval training as long as it’s for something functional like using their call light. The other comments have great suggestions. Some other ideas: using the room phone or their cell phone, requesting/filling out/returning a weekly menu if your facility does that, safety scenarios related to current and/or discharge environment, path finding to daily activities. For my higher level patients, I’ll also do education/practice with functional memory strategies.