A Person with Dementia – Dementia Nursing Care Plan

When writing any Care Plan Nurses and Carers need to understand fully the issues which face the patient and be able to, with the patient and relative’s agreement, plan to address, improve or solve these issues where possible. 

Dementia is one of the most feared conditions because of the devastating effect and impact it can have, not just on the person with dementia, but also on their relatives and friends.

Many people find it very difficult to understand what it can be like to have dementia.

The person can feel inadequate with low self esteem and self worth and in many cases will experience anxiety, distress and worry.

If there is a comprehensive, detailed, sensitive Nursing Care Plan which addresses their physical and emotional issues, and takes away some of the stress and anxiety, that will help them to focus on the positives of what they enjoy and what they can do.

Their self-esteem will improve, and most importantly with the correct support, they can live well and start to enjoy life again.  

The objective is to ensure the patient’s wishes, preferences, and needs are set out in great detail, and are at the centre of the Care Plan. It is equally important that at all times the patient is treated with dignity and respect.

The starting point for all of this has to be consultation.

The patient’s life story book, a day in their life, and medical history should be set out in detail, because this will give you a greater understanding of who the patient is, and of the past life experiences which have helped to develop that person.

As with all Care Plans the patient and relative should be asked for information so you can express in the Care Plan how dementia affects them, their understanding of the condition, and any worries or anxieties they have.

When you are assessing the resident’s physical and emotional condition you need to determine whether they are in any pain, whether they are showing any signs of depression, and record your findings.

You need to decide from the information you have obtained, if a separate care plan dealing with a separate specific issue should be prepared.

Communication with the patient is very important, and if there are any communication issues or you have any concerns you must record them along with the plan to show how these issues will be addressed. 

Safety is also extremely important, and it is essential you highlight in the Care Plan any concerns you have for the patient’s safety and how these will be addressed. 

All of the activities of daily living need to be considered to agree what level of assistance the patient needs or may need for each task of daily living.

It is crucial that the resident’s emotional and psychological issues are recognised, and methodologies to relieve stress and anxieties are included in the Care Plan. 

The dose and frequency of the patient’s medication must also be recorded.

Person Centred Care Planning ensures that the patient is treated as a person and not just a condition.