SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION

NATCEP Day Thirty Four & Thirty Five

OBJECTIVES Define mental health, mental illness,

developmental disability, and intellectual disability (ID/DD)

List methods to identify and utilize the resident’s strengths to reinforce appropriate behavior and reduce or eliminate inappropriate behavior

Identify roles and responsibilities of the nurse aide when caring for residents with mental illness or ID/DD

MENTAL HEALTH DEFINED

A person’s ability to cope with and adjust to everyday stresses in ways that are accepted by society

MENTAL ILLNESS DEFINED

A disturbance in the ability to cope or adjust to stress; behavior and function are impaired; mental disorder, emotional illness, psychiatric disorder

MAJOR CATEGORIES OF MENTAL ILLNESS Functional

Including mood, thought and personality disorders

Person is out of touch with reality to the degree that he/she is unable to function in real-life situations

Examples: PTSD, Bipolar disorder, anxiety & panic disorders

Organic Occurs as a result of reversible or irreversible

change in brain function Examples: Schizophrenia, Dementia, Alzheimer’s

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY DEFINED A disability occurring before the age of 22 Can be physical, cognitive, psychological,

sensory or a speech disability Permanent Function is limited in 3 or more life skills:

Self-careLearningMobilitySelf-directionCapacity for independent livingEconomic self-sufficiency Understanding and expressing language

COMMON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Intellectual Disability

Previously known as mental retardation IQ below 70-75 Limits in 2 or more adaptive skills areas Condition is present before 18 years of age

Down Syndrome Cerebral Palsy Autism Epilepsy Spinal Bifida

ID/DD Abbreviation for Intellectual Disability and

Developmental Disabilities

COMMON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Spinal Bifida

RESIDENTS STRENGTHS TO REINFORCE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Redirect inappropriate behaviorHow?

Appropriate behavior may be reinforced according to plan of care Focus on strengthsVerbal praiseRewards

NURSE AIDE ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Know and consistently reinforce plan of

treatment Be alert to changes in behavior Report changes promptly Be patient Focus on the resident as a person

AVOID LABELING Maintain resident safety

SEXUALITY IN AGING

NATCEP Day Thirty Five

OBJECTIVES Define sex & sexuality Identify factors that my affect sexuality

in the aging person Discuss actions nurse aides can take to

protect a resident’s sexuality Discuss approptiate nurse aide

responses to perceived sexual advances from a resident (or others)

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT SEXUALITY IN AGING Illness, injury or surgery

DiabetesCancer of the ColonDepression AlcoholismTranquilizersAnti-hypertensivesStrokeDeath of a sexual partner

Normal aging process

NORMAL CHANGES Men

Enlarged prostateDecrease in hormone production

WomenVaginitisDrynessDecrease in hormone production

ACTIONS TO PROTECT RESIDENT’S SEXUALITY Allow & encourage close relationships

and/or intimacy Respect & privacy

Confidential – should not share with family members

Protected from unwanted advances from others

Allow & encourage privacy for sexual activity

Accept sexual relationships – do not judge or gossip

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO ADVANCES FROM A RESIDENT? Calm, firm tone Let resident know actions are

inappropriate Calmly remove resident’s hands from

your body Report actions and your response to

charge nurse With charge nurse, explain to resident

that you do not want to be touched or spoken to in that way