Care of the Elderly

Know about the ageing process.

Changes as a result of ageing may include:

• physical - changes to bones, joints and cartilage
• psychological - significant life changes e.g. death of partner, family leaving home, financial concerns, fear of losing independence
• social and emotional - loneliness, isolation, depression, fear of ill health and subsequent consequences.

Ways the ageing process may affect support needs could include:

• greater need for support services as the person gets older e.g. equipment, personnel
• different types of support services e.g. assisted living, residential care.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1
  Describe the physical, psychological, social and emotional changes that an individual may experience as a result of ageing.
  
• 1.2
  Describe how the ageing process may affect the support needs of an individual.
  

Know about conditions affecting older people.

Common conditions, key features, affects and support may include:

• arthritis - inflamation of joints - inability to lift objects, loss of mobility - medication, aids to help maintain independence
• chronic heart disease - breathlessness, irregular heart beat - difficulty walking at speed or up hill, may feel dizzy resulting in loss of confidence to be on own - medication, controlled diet
• diabetes mellitus - inability to produce insulin (type 1) or resistance to insulin (type 2) - reliant on medication, maintain appropriate diet, could result in kidney failure, increased risk of infection - medication, controlled diet 
• dementia - confusion, memory loss, uncharacteristic behaviour - unaware of surroundings, become increasingly reliant on others for care - part time or full time care dependent on severity of the condition

These are some examples. Learners may choose to consider different conditions.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1
  Identify common conditions affecting older people.
  
• 2.2
  Describe the key features of different conditions and the affect they may have on older people.
• 2.3
  Outline the support needs of individuals with different conditions commonly affecting older people.
  

Know how to communicate with older people.

Strategies to help older people hear and understand what is being said may include:

• finding out if they use aids to help
• if they do, make sure the aid is working and switched on
• be in front of the person as they may also lip-read
• speak clearly but there is no need to if the aid is working
• avoid patronising the older adult by the way you speak
• give visual clues to help them understand and remember what has been said.

Ways to help the older person communicate their wishes, opinions or requests may include:

• giving them time to ask questions or share their thoughts
• avoid interrupting them as they may lose their train of thought
• encourage them through appropriate use of body language.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1
  Outline different strategies for ensuring that older people can hear and understand what is being said to them.
  
• 3.2
  Describe ways to support older people to communicate their wishes, opinions or requests.
  
  
  
  

Know about good practice in caring for older people.

Features of good practice in caring for older people may include:

• take time to get to know the person
• provide a people-centred service
• give them time and be patient

Learners may provide different features that are not mentioned above.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1
  Outline the features of good practice in caring for older people, including specific techniques or adaptations relating to their age.