Module 11 – Cognitive and
Mental Health Issues and Brain Issues - Assignment
General Direction:
A. The assignment will count for 20% of your final mark in Module 11.
Name: ___________Merina Ghising _____________________________________________
1. Cognitive impairment can disrupt the person’s ability to participate in their
ADL’s. List three examples of specific difficulties with ADL’s that could arise, and
then provide one action the PSW could implement to support and assist the client to
promote autonomy and dignity with the task. (6 marks)
i) ADL task: ___Dressing_______________________________________________
PSW support: Lay out clothes in the correct order and offer verbal
prompts while allowing the client to dress themselves as much as
possible to promote dignity.
ii) ADL task: Bathing
PSW support: Provide gentle reminders, ensure privacy, and support the client with
physical assistance only as needed to maintain autonomy.
iii) ADL task: Eating
PSW support: Serve familiar foods, offer finger foods if utensils are difficult to use,
and provide encouragement without rushing to maintain independence and respect.
2. Mr. Heron is a 78-year-old client of the agency you are employed with. He
lives in a retirement home but is supported by your agency two mornings each
week. He has been a client of yours for a month. Mr. Heron’s forgetfulness is
progressing slowly, but he remains a person with precise ideas and preferences
regarding how things should be done. Mr. Heron’s occupation was a high school
principal. He held that position for over thirty years. He is married and has two adult
children and five grandchildren.
Three times in the last two weeks when you have visited Mr. Heron you have found
him hovering near the elevator in his building. He has appeared slightly agitated
and has not been fully dressed. Today you find him in the same location wearing a
suit jacket with no shirt underneath, and he seems particularly upset. He says to
you, “The train is leaving, and I’ve got to be on it or I will be late for school.”
a. How might Mr. Heron’s personality and past experiences influence the
behaviour you witness today? (2 marks)
Mr. Heron worked for many years as a high school principal. He is used to being on
time and having routines. Because of his memory problems now, he might think he
still has to go to school, which is why he’s confused and upset.
b. What actions or verbal direction might you do or suggest in order to make Mr.
Heron more comfortable? (2 marks)
I would speak kindly and say, “Mr. Heron, don’t worry. Everything is okay and you’re
not late. Let’s go to your room and get you ready.” I would stay calm and help him
feel safe.
3. Why is depression often mistaken for dementia? (1 mark)
Because both can cause memory loss, confusion, and lack of concentration,
especially in older adults, making the symptoms appear similar.
4. Using the three stages of dementia, explain how you would support your
client with their mealtimes and eating in each of the stages. (3 marks)
Mild Stage: Offer choices, remind the client it’s time to eat, and encourage social
dining to make meals enjoyable.
Moderate Stage: Provide simple food choices, assist with utensils, and monitor
intake while offering verbal cues.
Severe Stage: Use hand-over-hand assistance, serve soft or finger foods, and ensure
a quiet, calm environment to reduce confusion and frustration.
5. A client you are assigned by your home care agency has been diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s Disease – Stage 2. List five safety concerns you would have in the
client’s home. (5 marks)
i)Forgetting to turn off the stove
ii) Wandering outside unsupervised
iii) Misusing household cleaners or medications
iv) Slipping in the bathroom
v) Leaving doors unlocked or open
6. Mrs. Green is a client of your agency. She has been diagnosed with multi-
infarct (vascular) dementia. She has been assessed to be in the first stage and is
only mildly forgetful the majority of the time. She is most comfortable when she
gets the answers she needs, although she may forget them in a short period of
time. Today she asks you, “Have you seen my daughter? I haven’t seen her in a very
long time.” You know that Mrs. Green’s daughter visits on a regular basis but you
are unsure as to when she was last in. (5 marks)
i) What is dementia?
Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function severe
enough to interfere with daily life, affecting memory, thinking, and
communication.
ii) What is meant by multi-infarct dementia?
It is a type of dementia caused by multiple small strokes that damage
brain tissue, leading to progressive memory and thinking problems.
iii) How might Mrs. Green’s forgetfulness interfere with her safety
needs?
She may forget to lock doors, take medications, or turn off appliances,
increasing her risk of accidents or harm.
iv) Considering effective communication techniques, how would you
respond to Mrs. Green?
I would respond “I am not sure when your daughter was last here, but
she cares about you very much and visits you often. Would you like to
sit down and look at a photo together while we wait?”
v) Explain how this approach would be helpful.
This response is calming, provides reassurance, and avoids correcting
her memory, which could cause distress or agitation.
7. “When a resident is cognitively impaired, does it really matter whether he/she
is attractively dressed? Are we just trying to make an impression on visitors and
other residents? If the confused resident doesn’t know or care how he/she is
dressed, why should we? It’s not bothering him/her.” (2 marks)
It matters. Dressing appropriately helps maintain a sense of identity,
dignity, and self-esteem. It also promotes respect from others and
supports positive mental health, regardless of the person’s awareness.
8. You have been assigned a client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. At the time
of their in-home assessment, the client was well controlled on medication and had
excellent outside support from social work and family who live in the area. Desiring
to be prepared for any change that could potentially occur from non-compliance
with their medication regime, what are three signs that you would take note of that
your client may be in mental health crisis? (3 marks)
Withdrawal from others, talking to oneself or responding to unseen stimuli,
neglecting personal hygiene.
9. “The elderly are not at risk of committing suicide.” Do you agree or disagree?
Disagree
Explain your answer: (2 marks)
Elderly individuals can face isolation, chronic pain, grief, or depression, all
of which increase the risk of suicide. It’s important to monitor mental
health in older adults just as seriously as in any other age group.
10. Define: (4 marks)
i) Affective disorder:
A group of mental health disorders that primarily affect mood.
Give one example: Major depressive disorder.
ii) Anxiety disorder:
A condition where excessive worry or fear interferes with daily life.
Give one example: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
