Question

SUBJECT : SPECIAL NEEDS 2 ( CONTINUE CARE ASSISTANT )

1. Describe Care of the Client with Anxiety Disorders. Provide at least 8 ways that you can support someone with anxiety.

2. Discuss depression in the senior population. What are some ways to support and care for a person with depression?

3. How can you respond to someone who indicates they are thinking of suicide? Describe 3 steps that people can take to help?

4. Treatment for addiction has many aspects. Describe care provider characteristics that enhance recovery from addiction.

5. Provide an example of each of the following abused substances. Describe how it affects the body, and how is it used.

a.) Depressant

b.) Stimulant

c.) Narcotic

d.) Hallucinogen

e.) Inhalant

f.) Steroids

Answer 1

1)

• Listen without judgement to their experiences. Don’t minimize or dismiss their experience as this will create more distance between the two of you.
• Encourage the person to get enough sleep, be physically active, and eat healthy food.
• Discourage the use of alcohol and/or drugs as a way to manage anxiety symptoms.
• Provide support and encouragement (not pressure) to stay connected with friends and family members.
• Talk openly about what is happening. Feeling ashamed is often what prevents people from seeking professional help and support. It may also cause some people to deny that they are struggling or experiencing anxiety altogether.
• Take care of yourself as a person and as a caregiver by setting boundaries (consider not making the anxiety your own by limiting and restricting your behaviour and activities).
• Suggest a consultation with a health care professional. This could be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or mental health professional. Begging, pleading, or threatening generally does not work

2)

Stay calm: It’s natural that you are worried about your aging loved one’s mental health, but it’s important that you do your best to stay cool, calm, and collected when interacting with them. Being overly anxious, angry, or impatient will likely only make the situation worse for them and may even cause them to put up a barrier. Instead, encourage them to open up by engaging in compassionate conversation about what might be bothering them. Make it clear that you are there to listen, without judgment, to anything they want to share.

Create a support system: Loneliness is a major factor in depression among aging adults. Giving your loved one as much of your time and attention as possible can be really valuable for them. Working together with them, create a support system of family members and friends whose company they enjoy. Come up with a consistent schedule that connects them with these people on a regular basis.

Help with meal prep: Loss of appetite is a common symptom of depression in aging adults, which can result in dramatic weight loss, muscle wasting, fatigue, and deteriorating health. This is why it is incredibly important that you help make sure they are getting proper nourishment. Together, prepare simple meals and snacks packed with nutrition and calories that they can consume even when they don’t feel like eating much.  

Gently suggest treatment options: It isn’t uncommon for some aging adults to feel resistance when it comes to getting treatment for their depression, but it is important that you present the idea to them gently

3)

3 steps to prevent suicide

1) Ask

If you think someone might be suicidal, ask them directly "Are you thinking about suicide?" Don’t be afraid to do this, it shows you care and will actually decrease their risk because it shows someone is willing to talk about it. Make sure you ask directly and unambiguously.

2) Listen and stay with them

If they say 'yes', they are suicidal, listen to them and allow them to express how they are feeling. Don’t leave them alone. Stay with them or get someone else reliable to stay with them.

3) Get help

Get them appropriate help. Call a crisis line like Lifeline 13 11 14 or 000 if life is in danger. If you can get in straight away visit a GP or psychologist. Even if the danger is not immediate they may need longer term support for the issues that led to them feeling this way.