Self Assessment Scales Essay

Patients are asked to rate their symptom for each question for a period of two weeks. The patient is the one who rates himself, therefore, this instrument’s results are subjective. The sum total is the calculated, and interpreted to

When the validity and reliability of this tool is replicated and verified thru further wide scale studies, then this scale can be used as an evaluation tool for the effectiveness of an intervention that aims on improving routine health behaviors.

As people get old a few of them will experience changes in cognition with age related capacity rather than intellectual capacity. There are some people who get both disparities of mentally and physically impaired that will led into depression due to aging process of their body. Even though, the forgetfulness is a common among older adults, we as healthcare providers must evaluate altered mental status of the patients. “The evaluation and management of altered mental status are broad and require careful history and physical examination to eliminate life-threatening situations”(Patti & Dulebohn, 2017). Therefore, it is very important to recognize the importance of difference between normal age-related symptoms and developing new health problems that can arise in this specific population. As elders get older their memory lapses it frustrating to them leading them to be more worried about changes in their memory. Nurses have a unique capability to promote a cognitive health and determine the possibilities of potential cases of the impairment in elders. The movie “On Golden Pond” Mr. Norman was a perfect example and showed that his symptoms were interfering with his everyday live when he almost burns down the house with fire, calling Bill by his daughter’s name Chelsea and getting lost in on the lake. Even though, Mr. Norman had heart and dementia problems his wife never discouraged him to do what he liked such as

155). There are many types of tests and approaches to cognitive assessments depending on the age of the person and symptoms currently experienced (Cordell et al. 147). These assessments are combined to ensure that there is a clear reason for concern, however, in the film, simply memory testing is done. During sessions with a neurologist, it is important if an informant, someone who has witnessed the change in cognition, is present during the diagnostic process (Cordell et al. 147). After informing Alice of this, she, alongside her husband, is tested through the repetition of sentences and ability to memorize a name and address. Alice’s neurologist merely tests her memory, while excluding other important examinable areas. If the cognitive assessments cause further concerns, a full dementia evaluation is conducted (Cordell et al. 147).

An estimated 47.5 million people suffer from dementia. Every 4 seconds one new case of dementia is diagnosed. Dementia is a term that describes certain symptoms such as impairment to memory, communication and thinking. It is a group of symptoms and not just one illness. Even though one‘s chance of getting dementia increase with age, it is not a part of aging. Dementia is usually diagnosed after a series of assessments that includes a physical evaluation, memory tests, imaging studies and blood work. It affects three aspects of one’s mental function, cognitive dysfunction (Problems with memory, language, thinking and problem solving), psychiatric behavior (changes in personality, emotional control, social behavior and delusions) and difficulties with daily living activities (driving, shopping, eating and dressing). “The median survival time in women is 4.6 years and in men 4.1 years” (Warren, 2016).

Not all patients with dementia frequently present to healthcare services. As such there is interest in services available for diagnosing dementia in the community. Surprisingly, the amount of published literature in this area is rather scarce. In Australia, access to government subsidised aged care services necessitates assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) which is commonly community based.[11, 98] Dementia was a common condition prompting ACAT assessment. [11] Part of the assessment for aged care funding instrument includes assessment for suspected cognitive impairment and referrals to appropriate specialists for confirmation of diagnosis. [99] ACAT's ready access to geriatricians may enable investigation

The assessment evaluates recall, time orientation, clock drawing, and information/recent news. An informant interview may supplement the screening tool if more information is required to identify any signs of impairment. The interview allows an individual’s caretaker or loved one to answer questions regarding changes that have occurred with the individual of concern between the time of the interview and 5 to 10 years ago (Health Care Professionals and Alzheimer's,

Having a diagnosis of dementia means someone has had a decline in mental awareness sometimes it can be bad enough to restrict the patient’s ability to perform their activities of daily living. Many times memory loss is the first sign and symptoms. Since dementia is a life-limiting disease, it is essential that doctors and clinicians have the best tools available. In preparation for proposing Centra PACE replaces their current cognitive tool with the MoCA the writer will schedule a meeting with the Medical Director and Quality Coordinator to discuss the proposal. The writer would present all the relevant EBP data that identified a statistical significance that the MoCA could replace the MMSE the presentation would also show the data that proved the MoCA is a more accurate tool for assessing patients with (MCI). After receiving buy in from the Medical Director and Quality Coordinator, the writer would schedule a meeting with the Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, and Registered Nurse of the Centra PACE program. In this meeting, the writer would offer the evidence about why the team should consider changing their cognitive assessment tool to the MoCA.

As the Baby Boomer era has now grown up, there is subsequently a large increase in the number of elderlies in the United States. One of the largest generations reaching elderly status also brings an increase in curiosity on their health; particularly their mental health. With nearly 69% of practicing psychologist working with older patients, it is clear that there is a particular interest in how the elderly behave and think (Kring & Johnson, 2015). This curiosity and prevalence of elderlies brings along an increase awareness of commonly thought “elderly specific” illnesses and disorders. One major area that is often associated with the elderly is memory loss, more appropriately labeled as Dementia. However, not all areas of Dementia are reserved for the elderly.

Intervention #1: My nurse and I assessed pain intensity level in the patient using a valid and reliable self-report pain tool, such as the 0-10 numerical pain rating scale.

The instrument measured physical and mental health dimensions through eleven questions and thirty-six items covering eight components that were represented by functional capacity, physical pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional aspects, mental health, and a related question about the current general health a year before the interview (Girardi et al., 2015).

Cognitive aging is worthy of study for many reasons. The more knowledge that is uncovered about cognitive aging, the closer to possibly finding ways to slow the process down, decrease the intensity of the symptoms, or maybe prevent it all together. If there are possible ways of doing so it is important to find them. The “what” and “when” of cognitive aging has made advances, but the “why”, “where”, and “how” are still to be uncovered. We further our knowledge of the “why”, “where”, or “how”, or uncover the full truth, without knowing the full truth about the “what” and “when”. Finding out more about one might lead to learning more about another. Expanding our knowledge on cognitive aging has the potential to increase someone’s quality of life. It has the potential to increase that family member’s quality of life. Cognitive aging effects more than the victim, it effects their

This is a patient questionnaire that uses a score of 0-4 to assess subjective neuropathic symptoms (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy, 2007).

In theory, the rating scale can help assist the health care provider to diagnose and treat the problem. The scale is designed with the understanding that a patient reporting a high number on the rating scale has a lower pain threshold and a patient reporting a lower pain rate has a higher threshold for pain.

Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS). The REFS derived from the Edmonton Frail Scale which defined frailty using the accumulation deficit model. The REFS evaluated ten domains for screening cognition function, general health status, functional independence, social support, medication uses, nutrition, mood, incontinence, self-reported performance. A total REFS score is 18, the scores of 12–18 is severe frailty, score 10–11 is moderate frailty, scores 8–9 is mild frailty, scores 6–7 is apparently frail and scores 0–5 is non-frail (Hilmer et al.,