Johnson- Dementia
This case study reflects the case of Johnson, a patient who has Dementia. Due to his deteriorating condition, his wife is considering enrolling him in a nursing home, as it is becoming more challenging to care for him by herself. However, Christina (a social worker in the home agency), posits that many families do not understand the implications of enrollment into nursing homes, such as the financial distress it can cause on a family.
According to Bansal & Parle (2014), Dementia is simply a neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by progressive and continuous deterioration of cognitive functions and may include symptoms like apathy and depression. There are various risk factors associated with patients suffering from Dementia, such as age. The risk of contracting certain types of Dementia, such as vascular Dementia, significantly increases with age. Moreover, genetics and familial history of Dementia can be a significant pointer of a person’s ability to contract the disorder. As Bansal & Parle (2014) point out, a number of genes increase the risk of developing the disorder, and people with a family history of Dementia have a heightened risk of getting the same.
As Dementia patients need a lot of health and home care, the right community agency can provide the necessary care for patients suffering from the disease. The home care agency should be accessible easily to facilitate easier and timely care for these patients. Home care costs should be within the financial reach and capability of the patient. The home care should also be readily available for the patient, especially during emergencies and cases of acute dementia. Lastly, the home care agent should be acceptable to patients and their families. This may include, for instance, working with a home care agency in line with the patients’ values and religious beliefs.
Reference
Nies, M., & McEwen, M. (2011). Community/public health nursing. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Saunders. (pg. 361-389)
Bansal, N., & Parle, M. (2014). Dementia: An Overview. Journal Of Pharmaceutical Technology, Research, And Management, 2(1), 29-45. doi: 10.15415/jptrm.2014.21003