Biophysical and Psychosocial Approaches for Dementia and Elderly Care

BIOPHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
APPROACHES 1
BIOPHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACHES
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BIOPHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
APPROACHES 1
Case study 1
Biophysical and psychosocial processes
Bob is also much concerned about his relationship. He is critical about his sexual life and
doesn’t want to take medication as he feels it will make him impotent and affect his relationship
with his wife. In dementia cases, a person struggles to maintain his or her identity. Bob is also
struggling to maintain his identity by engaging in his hobbies, traditional roles, and occupation.
He gets agitated when his wife tells him of his current condition. He also feels frustrated with
himself for being forgetful. People with dementia may lose confidence in completing their tasks.
For a person with dementia, he or she tends to withdraw from public activities which affect the
identity, independence, relationships, social roles and self- esteem. Margaret is trying to motivate
Bob to enhance his identity, self- esteem, and independence through social activities and
interaction(Öhman, et al, 2014). Bob once led a very active life in his early ages. Physical activity
to him can help reduce behavioral disturbances like aggression, agitation and noisiness. It will
also lower depressive symptoms. Margaret is helping him exercise more, visiting friends and
take the antihypertensive so that his health can be well.
The appropriate tool for assessment and its key elements
Bob is becoming forgetful and also caused an accident when he recalled some matters
while driving.In this case, a Montreal Cognitive Assessment test shall be used(Lam, et al, 2013).
The test is used to detect cognitive impairment. It contains thirty questions which take around
twelve minutes to complete. The score of the test range from zero to thirty. The scoring is
usually as follows: visuospatial and executive functioning is 5 points, animal naming is 3 points,
attention is 6 points, language is 3 points, abstraction is 2 points, delayed recall is 5 points and

BIOPHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
APPROACHES 1
orientation 6 points. The test helps determine if a person has an abnormal cognitive function. For
the people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, it can predict dementia(Hsieh, et al, 2015).
Care priorities
Dementia people should be supported in their careers, health, and social care. The care
should be person-centered by responding to their actual needs. Care can include knowing the
person, offering meaningful activities in a flexible manner that is continuous. In the case of Bob,
Margaret is trying to provide all these(Brooker and Latham, 2015).
They should also be provided with needs that are of their own skills, preferences, and
abilities. These help them in communication, attention, and recalling of memories. The social
and friendly environment helps them feel socially accepted. Engaging Bob by visiting friends
makes him express himself and feel socially accepted.
Another priority care is the provision of information to empower dementia persons and the
caregivers.
Its awareness helps people appreciate and care for their loved ones without any
embarrassment. Margaret is aware of Bob’s situation and is not discouraged but determined
towards improving his health.
Equity, rights and access issues
People with multiple needs should be recognized and be supported to acquire their needs
from different systems(Johnson, Ling and McBee, 2015).