Caring for Patients Diagnosed With Impaired Cognition

Caring for Patients Diagnosed With Impaired Cognition

When interacting with a patient who has cognitive impairment, it is critical to use communication approaches suited to their individual needs and abilities. To begin, it is critical to use simple and plain terminology. Using simple language and avoiding medical jargon helps guarantee that the patient understands what is being said. Using visual aids such as diagrams or illustrations can also help people with visual or auditory impairments understand what they are hearing or seeing (Wang et al., 2022). Patients with reduced cognition may require knowledge to be delivered several times; thus, repetition and reinforcement of crucial ideas are also beneficial. Nonverbal indicators like keeping eye contact and employing gestures might help express meaning. Individuals with reduced cognition may become easily annoyed or frustrated; therefore, it is critical to be calm and tolerant. Finally, the communication technique must be tailored to the patient’s individual requirements and abilities for effective education and information distribution.

A comprehensive treatment plan for patients with impaired cognitive function and minimal family support should include several critical strategies. To begin with, I would think about enlisting the help of community resources and support services such as home healthcare providers or social workers to provide regular supervision and aid with everyday chores. It is critical to do a safety assessment of the patient’s living environment, including a fall risk assessment and, if necessary, home modifications (Strini et al., 2021). It is also important to obtain a durable power of attorney or healthcare proxy to make choices on the patient’s behalf if their cognitive function deteriorates further. Regular follow-up consultations with healthcare providers, as well as communication among healthcare professionals, can assist in monitoring the patient’s status and adjusting their care plan as needed. Finally, if the patient’s cognitive impairment has progressed to the point where home-based care is no longer safe or practicable, considering alternative long-term care options such as assisted living or memory care facilities should be examined.

References

Strini, V., Schiavolin, R., & Prendin, A. (2021). Fall risk assessment scales: A systematic literature review. Nursing Reports, 11(2), 430–443. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep11020041

Wang, R., Jung, C., & Kim, Y. (2022). Seeing through sounds: Mapping auditory dimensions to data and charts for people with visual impairments. Computer Graphics Forum, 41(3), 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14523

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When patients have Impaired cognition, NPs need to intervene to create a plan for safety. Assessing cognitive status, physical frailty, and sensory impairments are the most common physical exam strategies used for these patients. Including family members in obtaining the history and additional information about cognitive status and physical health is significant if there is family available to attend appointments and provide support.

What type of communication techniques would you use to provide education and information to a patient diagnosed with impaired cognition? What interventions would you consider for patients with decreased cognitive function if they had limited family support?