TIME

TOPIC/ACTIVITY

9:00 – 9:20

Welcome and trainer introduction. Overview/goals of project

Session goals, objectives, agenda.

Housekeeping

9:20 – 9:45

Participant introductions & challenges of the assessment process:

9:45 – 10:15

Capacity, medical issues, medications, substance abuse

• This session provides a definition of capacity, explains that a variety of factors influence capacity and discusses the need to focus on client’s strengths.
• Medical problems that effect capacity are presented.
• The interactions and side effects of common medications are reviewed.
• Screening tools for substance abuse are provided.

10:15 – 10:45

Transfer of Learning Activity : Detecting medical/medication/substance abuse problems

• In this activity, small groups are given a short client history, symptoms and a medication list. They are asked to discuss appropriate next steps.

10:45 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 11:30

Assessing depression, dementia, delirium/ skills and tools

• The challenges of factoring in cultural diversity and value systems when doing an assessment are presented.

Addresses Cultural Diversity and Ethics requirement

• Executive functioning is defined.
• Tips for conducting a mental status examine are given.
• The Folstein, The Clock Drawing test and the Geriatric Depression Scale are presented.

11:30 – 12:00

Transfer of Learning Activity: Case Study

• Small groups are given a case study and a number of questions to answer about (1) what factors indicate a mental status problem, (2) what additional information they need, (3) what assessment tools to use and (4) who else to involve in the assessment.

12:00 – 1:00

LUNCH

1:00 - 1:45

Transfer of Learning Activity: Ecomap activity/ Use of ecomap as tool for assessing social support and discussion.

• Trainees (representing individuals and agencies in the client’s life) are positioned around the room based on their assigned relationship with the client (also a trainee). The various relationships are mapped on a flip chart.

1:45 – 2:15

Ethical issues in doing a comprehensive assessment and determining capacity: capacity questions

• The National APS Association’s (NAPSA) code of ethics is presented and discussed.
• How personal values intersect with assessment issues is addressed.

Addresses Cultural Diversity and Ethics requirement

2:15 – 2:45

Screening questions to ask self neglecting clients who may be at risk:

• Questions must be both appropriate and practical. Sample questions are given.
• Documentation of screening results is discussed with the focus on due diligence.

2:45- 3:00

Break

3:00 – 3:50

Transfer of Learning Activity:

Trainees are asked to brainstorm the documentation issues around a case study and answer the following questions:

• What are your concerns about the client’ safety?
• What questions might you ask to determine her capacity to understand the risks?
• What are the ethical and cultural issues and how would you take those into consideration?
• What would your next steps be?

3:50 – 4:00

Wrap-up, summary, and evaluation