Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Understanding of dementia may include:
Knowledge of different manifestations of dementia, including:
Alzheimer's disease
Huntington's disease
Pick's disease
Vascular dementia
Basic understanding of pathological features, including:
Amyloid plaques
Neurofibrillary tangles
Loss of connection between cells and cell death


Impacts that dementia may have on family carers and significant others may include:
Depression
Loss and grieving
Anger
Despair
Social embarrassment a family member might feel
Isolation
Financial burden on the family


Impacts of dementia on the wider community may include:
Inappropriate behaviour
Anxiety
Dependence on others
Disorientation


Significant others may include:
Spouse
Family
Friends


Strategies to respond to behaviours of concern include:
Distraction
Current events
Reminiscences
Music, dancing
Walking
Talking reassuringly about familiar and favourite topics
Behaviour modification (if appropriate)
Addressing physical triggers to behaviour including pain
Alternative therapies


Activities include:
Daily living activities such as:
maintaining personal safety
communication (speech, writing, non-verbal communication)
eating and drinking
mobilising and transferring (moving from place to place and position to position)
attending to personal hygiene (bathing, laundering personal linen)
dressing and undressing
attending own spiritual needs
grooming
expressing sexuality


Instrumental activities such as:
Accessing financial resources and allowances
Paying bills and regular outgoings
Shopping
Preparing meals
Climbing stairs
Maintaining household (cleaning, laundry, décor, repairs)
Travelling by private and public transport
Interacting with others and socialising
Accessing leisure, recreational and sporting activities
Recreational and sporting activities
Craft and creative activities
Socialising
Reminiscing activities
Spiritual activities


Ensuring the safety and comfort of client while addressing the risks associated with:
Ability to find their own way
Ability to negotiate traffic
Wandering or other behaviours relating to agitation
Behaviours relating to psychotic experiences or mood disorders
Ability to safely prepare, cook and store food and drink
Ability to control temperature of water
Ability to use home appliances
Ability to maintain personal and home security
Ability to manage own finances
Ability to recognise dangers in their environment
Ability to recognise the safety of others


Environmental strategies may include:
Orientation to day, date, time of day, place, person, carer, family relationships, weather
Adequate lighting to decrease risk of misinterpreting their environment
Manipulate stimuli such as activity, noise, music, lighting, decor
Provision of space (to pace, wander)
Provision of individual's own belongings such as photos, books, clothes
Security
Safe storage of toxic chemicals


Behaviours of concern:
Refer to:
Changed behaviour or BPSD (Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia)
And may include but are not limited to:
Physical aggression
Social withdrawal
Verbal disruption
Repetitive actions or questions
Resistance to personal care
Sexually inappropriate behaviour
Refusal to accept services
Problems associated with eating
Socially inappropriate behaviour
Wandering or intrusiveness
Sleep disturbances

EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions but partial assessment could be undertaken under simulated conditions
Assessment may include observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace on more than one occasion
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place


Method of assessment:
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons