Question

Alice is an aged care support worker. She has visited Stella, an older person who is 83, on numerous occasions. She has built trust and rapport with both Stella and her carer who is on a full time basis. On the last two visits Alice noticed Stella becoming unsteady on her feet and sitting for long periods of time. Alice suggests that an assessment may provide Stella with strategies to improve her strength and mobility. Stella becomes agitated and anxious that this may result in her being unable to go for walks with her carer. The carer confides to Alice that Stella insists on going for a walk but lately has not been able to go past the front door. The carer is concerned that their walks will have to discontinue. Alice empathises with the carer as this is a concern for her. Alice sits with Stella and her carer to explain the assessment process and her duty of care to provide the best care possible to minimise the risk of harm. With Stella’s consent, Alice agrees to talk to her supervisor and other health professionals providing care to Stella to decide which assessment would be the most suitable. She then discusses the physical impacts of falling with Stella. She explains in plain language how strong muscles can help a person stay upright and can help them stabilise themselves more effectively. Stella says, ‘So that’s why you want me to exercise?’ Alice patiently takes the time to provide information that suggests other options and looks at alternative exercise strategies. Alice explains the role of a physiotherapist in developing a suitable exercise program for Stella. She asks Stella and the carer to think about the strengths and weaknesses of the options and the consequences of Stella’s decisions. Alice tells the carer she has an important role to play and that she can encourage Stella in the strategies to improve her strength. Stella seems to be comfortable with the support she will be getting from her carer and convinced that being assessed will provide strategies to strengthen her ability to walk and increase her confidence. Stella is satisfied with the process and agrees to an assessment.

1.How should Alice confirm Stella’s assessment requirements with a relevant health professional

2.How has Alice managed Stella’s individual rights and the organisation’s responsibility to her?

In what way did Alice include the carer in the discussions?

3. How has Alice encouraged Stella’s participation in the assessment?

4. How has Alice communicated in a way that respects Stella’s rights, level of understanding and cultural background?

5. How has Alice helped maximise Stella’s participation and minimise unnecessary discomfort?

Answer 1

1. Alice confirms Stella's assessment requirements with a relevant health professional (her supervisor) and other health professionals providing care to Stella after getting the consent of Stella.
2. Alice discussed with Stella and her carer regarding the assessment process and her responsibilities to provide the best possible care to decrease the risk of complication. Alice included the carer in the discussions by telling her that she can encourage Stella in the strategies to improve her strength.
3. Alice patiently explained tbe assessment process with Stella. She also provided explanation regarding various treatment modalities and told her to analyse the merits and demerits of it by herself. She also insisted Stella to think of the effects of her own decision.
4. Alice took Stella's consent before agreeing to discuss bwr matter with other health professionals. She gave explanations in plain language and took time patiently to convince Stella for the assessment.
5. Alice included Stella's carer in her in her treatment plan thereby convinced Stella regarding her assessment as she is very comfortable with her carer's assistance i the whole assessment process.