Confusion & Delirium
The inability to think clearly and logically
What is confusion
A serious loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating
What else what dementia
A resident with alzheimer's disease gets restless and agitated in the afternoon
What is sundowning
When a resident believes things that are not true
What are delusions
Collecting and putting things away in a guarded way
What is hoarding
Urinary track infections, low blood glucose, head injury, fever, infections, lack of sleep
What are possible causes for confusion
Alzheimers Disease
Multi-infarc or vascular dementia
Lewy Body Dementia
Parkinsons Disease
Huntingtons Disease
What are common causes of dementia
When a person with alzheimer's disease overreacts to something
What is catastrophic reaction
When a residents sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that are not there
What are hallucinations ?
A form of therapy where we allow the resident to "live in" their imaginary circumstance
What is validation therapy
A state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly; it is usually temporary
What is delirium
Tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits form on the brain
What causes alzheimer's ?
To avoid confusion and distraction at meal time it is recommended to use this type of place setting
What is a plain white plate on a contrasting colored surface
When resident who attacks, hits, or threatens someone else
What is violent behavior
Using music to accomplish specific goals such as managing stress and improving mood
What is music therapy
Agitation, anger, disorientation, problems with speech
What are signs of delirium
When people with alzheimers repeat words, phrases, actions or questions
What is preservation ?
Encouraging residents to do all they can for themselves in regards to personal care
What is promoting independence
When a resident walks back and forth in an area
What is pacing
Going through closets, drawers or personal items not belonging to ones self
What is rummaging
The ability to think logically and clearly
What is cognition
When a resident has dementia these type of memories are more diffficult to recall
What is short term memory ?
The best thing for a nursing assistant to do in the case of any resident becoming agitated, or when there is confusion over communication or ANY TIME THERE IS STRESS OR CONCERNS
What is stay calm
A resident who walks aimlessly around the facility
What is a wanderer
When residents accuse staff or family of lying to them
What is suspicion