Population Summary

1. Through the agency summary, the student should have gleaned an idea of the population(s) being served by the agency or setting. Clarification on population should be obtained from the mentor.

The populations served are individuals who have physical and/or cognitive impairments who are unable to care for themselves adequately during the daytime and may not be eating properly or taking medications correctly. Adult Day Health Care also assists individuals transitioning from medical care (i.e. after a person is hospitalized). In these cases, Adult Day Health Care services may be appropriate as part of a treatment plan.

2. The student will list basic functional agency requirements for all participants (for example, some agency require participants be able to independently bathroom).

A health assessment is required to evaluate and assess the needs and abilities of clients as well as to identify any physical or cognitive impairments. Financial requirements include being able to pay for the days they attend and any other expenses (i.e. field trips). Having a reliable caregiver in case of emergency such as being able to pick up the client from the center or paying for services is also required.

3. Next the student will identify the primary disability groups served by the agency up to 5 such as schizophrenia, cerebral palsy, autism, arthritis, head injury, etc.

The primary disability groups served are those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other cognitive and physical impairments (i.e. developmental disabilities and Parkinson’s).

4. For each population identified, the student should summarize by domain the primary characteristics of the disability. Including a brief definition, identify strengths and areas of functional improvement that are typical to that disability.

Dementia is a disease that progresses in the brain and results in a loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, orientation, judgement and alertness. Socializing is important to help decrease depression and loneliness. Physical impairments that can occur with dementia include the gradual loss in the ability to walk, stand, or get up independently. Functional improvement would be to maintain cognitive function for as long as possible and increase physical health to help delay the onset physical impairments that occur as the disease progresses. Sundowning is also a common occurrence as the dementia progresses; validation therapy and reassurance can be helpful when this occurs (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).

Alzheimer’s Dementia is a form of irreversible dementia. As the disease progresses cognitive function begins to decline and can result in memory loss, language and speech problems, confusion, agitation, and irritability. Although there is no cure, some medications available have appeared to slow the progression of the disease. Similarly to dementia, socializing is essential to help decease feelings of depression and loneliness. Functional improvement would be to maintain cognitive function for as long as possible by the use of cognitively stimulating interventions (ex: memory recall interventions). Functional improvements can also include be made by increasing physical activity to help delay physical impairments that may occur as the disease progresses. Some individuals may experience sundowning, when this occurs it can be helpful to use validation therapy and reassurance to decrease confusion and agitation (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive nervous system disease. The motor related symptoms include tremors (usually beginning in the hand), impaired balance and ambulating skills, slower movements, and stiffness in limbs. Non-motor symptoms include depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment (i.e. attention, mental processing, memory, and language), sleep disorders, pain, and incontinence. Functional improvement would be to maintain and improve cognitive functioning as well as maintain motor function and delay the onset physical impairments that occur as the disease progresses (Parkinson’s Association, 2020).

Developmental Disabilities are a group of conditions that may be caused by physical and/or cognitive impairments. The disability is usually diagnosed at birth and often lasts their entire life. Many conditions fall under this category such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Down Syndrome. Functional improvement would be to maintain and improve both physical and cognitive function. Social skills and emotional behavior may also be an area of functional improvement (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, 2019).

RUBRIC:

References 

Alzheimer’s Association. (2020). What is dementia. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia

Alzheimer’s Associations. (2020). What is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers

Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. (September 26, 2019). Developmental disabilities. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/index.html

Parkinson’s Association. (2020). What is Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Association. https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons?gclid=Cj0KCQjwirz3BRD_ARIsAImf7LNalEh2cPB0jBdFemR04I_d51WbMXByg4KU8Y0yzWBLad1J9eRmf8AaAs8_EALw_wcB