Specific Needs of the Older Person
Prepared by Margaret Mills
For Care Skills QQI level 5 Assignment
February 2016
Introduction
In this project we are going to look at the Specific Needs of the Older Person with the chronic illness dementia. We will look at the physiological and psychological changes that occur the person’s needs and what role the carer and multidisciplinary team have in assisting the person. I will obtain my information from internet research and tutors notes and handouts.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a condition which causes damage to the brain cells and issues with the brain function. There are many different types of dementia such as Lewy Body dementia which causes hallucinations,
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One of the first things you would notice is that their personal hygiene has deteriorated as they don’t remember to wash and dress themselves properly. They can become incontinent. Their balance might not be very good or their eye sight could deteriorate and they would be at risk of falls. When trying to cook they wouldn’t have any fear of burns or scalds. As the dementia progresses their muscles become weaker so their mobility becomes poor. Their ability to swallow can be affected so they could choke very easily. Their sleep can be affected as well leaving them tired and irritable. The person can also forget to eat or drink and they can become dehydrated or malnourished. So their over all health can …show more content…
Early signs of dementia can be missed appointments, forgetting to take medication, not part taking in social activities, being withdrawn, confusion and being irritable. The person with dementia can become depressed and have very low self esteem. They can feel worthless because they can not carry out the very basics of active daily living.
In Maslow Hierarchy of Need he states there are five basic needs these are Physiological which is food sleep water. Safety which is security of resources, security of family and of health. Love which is friendship family and intimacy. Esteem which is self-esteem, respect of others and confidence. Self-actualization which is problem solving and creativity.
Maslow looks at the physical, emotional, social and intellectual qualities of the