AAC Care Planning & Support Strategies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which element is essential to include in a care plan for a person with Alzheimer's who wanders?
- A strict schedule of physical restraints during high-risk hours
- Environmental safety measures and identification strategies such as MedicAlert (Correct answer)
- Limiting all outdoor access permanently
- Sedation protocols to prevent nighttime wandering
Correct answer: Environmental safety measures and identification strategies such as MedicAlert
Safe Return programs and environmental modifications are evidence-based, person-centered strategies for managing wandering behavior.
Question 2: When developing a care plan with the family, what principle should guide the team regarding the person with Alzheimer's own wishes?
- Family members always have final authority over all decisions
- The expressed preferences of the person, when known, should guide care decisions (Correct answer)
- Medical professionals should make all decisions without family input
- Only written advance directives are legally binding and need to be considered
Correct answer: The expressed preferences of the person, when known, should guide care decisions
Person-centered care requires honoring the individual's previously expressed values and preferences to the greatest extent possible.
Question 3: An occupational therapist recommends adaptive equipment for a person with Alzheimer's. What is the primary goal of this care plan intervention?
- Reduce nursing staff workload
- Promote independence and safety in daily activities (Correct answer)
- Speed up completion of care tasks
- Reduce costs associated with care
Correct answer: Promote independence and safety in daily activities
Adaptive equipment helps preserve functional independence and safety, supporting the person's dignity and quality of life.
Question 4: Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate for a non-verbal person with late-stage Alzheimer's?
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) (Correct answer)
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
- McGill Pain Questionnaire
Correct answer: PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia)
PAINAD is designed specifically for non-verbal persons with advanced dementia, assessing behavioral indicators of pain.
Question 5: A care plan includes 'meaningful activity' as an intervention. Which best describes this for a former teacher with Alzheimer's?
- Any physical exercise routine regardless of interest
- Activities that align with past roles, such as reading to others or sorting papers (Correct answer)
- Structured cognitive tests performed three times weekly
- Group activities regardless of the person's social preferences
Correct answer: Activities that align with past roles, such as reading to others or sorting papers
Meaningful activities connect to a person's identity and life history, providing purpose and engagement relevant to who they are.
Question 6: What is the recommended frequency for formally reviewing and updating a care plan in a long-term care setting under federal regulations?
- Every 5 years
- Quarterly and following significant changes in condition (Correct answer)
- Only upon family request
- Annually during the person's birthday month
Correct answer: Quarterly and following significant changes in condition
Federal regulations require quarterly care plan reviews in nursing facilities, with additional reviews whenever there is a significant change in condition.
Question 7: A person with early-stage Alzheimer's wants to remain involved in planning their own care. What approach best supports this?
- Allow them to attend care conferences but not contribute to decisions
- Actively include them in care planning discussions and honor stated preferences (Correct answer)
- Wait until the family is present before discussing care options with the individual
- Postpone care planning until cognitive decline is more advanced
Correct answer: Actively include them in care planning discussions and honor stated preferences
Supported decision-making principles advocate for including persons with early dementia directly in their care planning while they can contribute.
AAC Care Planning & Support Strategies 3
Which element is essential to include in a care plan for a person with Alzheimer's who wanders?