Program for Treating a Demented Patient, Essay Example

My placement was at Seniors Home Care and I worked in attending an elderly man suffering from dementia condition. It was a difficult task because it was my first encounter with a person suffering from the condition. I received help from nurses at the home care and the wife of the man. Social workers came in occasionally when their need was indispensable.

The whole program still comes vivid to my mind, as it was full of many challenges. Dementia is a condition that impairs thinking, memory, behavior and judgment. At times, the wife of the man was not around as she faced challenges meeting travelling fare to the home care on a daily basis. Thus, the beddings could be stenchy whenever I had a visit to the man before the wife came to assist in changing them. I had a strong feeling to chip in my financial help, but as a student on attachment, I could not help much on the issue.

I can say that the experience had both positives and negatives. Communicating with a dementia patient is not an easy task. I had to learn how to communicate in a way that I did not hurt the old man and the carer who was in most cases the wife of the man. I had to talk with the nurses concerning the needs of the old man and his wife and we managed to offer support. The positive part of this undertaking was in the experience I gained. I was able to develop solutions for the challenges I faced and thus, I feel experienced in handling dementia condition.

The program was concerned with the nursing needs of dementia problem. We concentrated on therapeutic needs, physical needs, promoting communication, helping in personal hygiene and reducing disorientation. We aimed at providing treatment to reduce any infections, help the patient to avoid repeated injuries and enhance the patient’s self-concept. In addition, we helped him to feel comfortable, decrease in confusion and to ensure a habit of cleanness. I administered the treatment well and ensured that other interventions took place according to the treatment plan. However, I did not consider the spiritual needs and recreational needs of the old man. The nurses and I overlooked these needs as we considered the treatment needs more than other crucial needs.

Although dementia is an irreversible condition, I learned the importance of nursing care for a demented patient. This depends on the onset of illness, the cause and severity of the condition. Team members engaged in service delivery for a demented person should make regular visits and teach family members and the patient. One should also consider planning and provision of recreational, educational and social activities.

Since I hope to meet such a patient again, I have resolved to offer a holistic treatment to the demented patients. I will ensure that my goals will help the patient cope with changes due to illness and be self-sufficient. I will ensure that I involve the family of the patient in discussions and plan for recovery for the patient. I will encourage the family members to talk concerning problems they will face at home. I will ensure that I make follow-ups to the later. I hope to deal with the situation better than the past one since I have gained some experience and exposure to the very challenges of nursing demented patient.