Anxiety Questionnaire
Quick quiz-you can submit answers to be scored (kept in confidence) to provide insight whether
this symptom should be addressed.
Behavioral Problems in Dementia-Management
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/10_15_99/morgenlander.htmPhysician's Guide: recognize the common behavioral symptoms of dementia; learn which environmental
measures are useful for controlling disruptive behavior; know when drug therapy is needed and which agents to prescribe
Caring for adults with mental disabilities
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/11_99/councilman.htmGuideline for Physicians on problems that tend to be complex. Identify challenges and potential
solutions in providing medical care for adults with mental retardation; provided health maintenance guidelines and several
specific medical issues for this population
Caregiving and Cognitive Impairments
http://www.hospicenet.org/html/cognitive_care.htmlCognitively impaired persons typically require special care, including (often 24-hour) supervision,
specialized communication techniques, management of bizarre or difficult behaviors, incontinence, and help with activities
of daily living (ADLs), e.g. bathing, eating, transferring from bed to a chair or wheelchair, toileting and/or other personal
care. Caring At Home; Managing Behavioral Problems; Defining Needs/Planning For Future
Chronic or Ongoing Care-How can you improve the quality of care
How can you improve the quality of care you provide? What changes (if any) need to be made?
Here are some guidelines for evaluating your role in the ongoing care process.
Delirium-Quick recognition/evaluation/treatments
Physician's Guide: Delirium should be suspected when a patient rather suddenly shows evidence
of intermittent confusion, perceptual changes, short-term memory loss, and sleep disturbance. Unrecognized and unaddressed,
this disorder can lead to inappropriate management, deterioration, or injury. Quick recognition of symptoms and targeted assessment
are essential to identify and treat the underlying causes
Demntia-Asking The Right Questions
Physician's Guide: To recognize the various signs and causes of memory loss; know which questions
to ask patients and family members to identify the type and severity of cognitive impairment; learn the recommended steps
in assessment of physical, neurologic, mental, and functional status of patients with suspected dementia
Delusions Questionnaire
Delusions, believing false events are true, believing events that never happened-happened.
This link is to a Quick quiz that you can submit answers to be scored (kept in confidence) to provide insight whether this
symptom should be addressed. Written for PD but application to other illnesess.
Denial in accepting a terminal illness
Although written for ALS, applicable to any illness: You can help most by respecting their
expressions of denial, even as you try to avoid reinforcing them. Recognize an expression of denial for what it is: a wish
that things were different. Don't try to "break through" your loved one's denial, but don't become a part of it, either.....
Depression Clues
Physician's Guide: Appropriate intervention for depression is often delayed because patients
are reluctant to report depressive symptoms or to face the stigma of the diagnosis. Therefore, primary care physicians need
to be vigilant for manifestations of depression in their patients and knowledgeable about current treatment recommendations.
This article reviews diagnostic considerations and discusses available therapeutic options for patients with this common disorder.
Depression Questionnaire
Note that this test is merely designed to give a preliminary idea about whether the presence
of depressive symptoms need evaluation by a psychiatrist. It does not replace in any way a formal psychiatric assessment.
A Quick quiz-you can submit answers to be scored (kept in confidence) to provide insight whether this symptom should be addressed.
Disinhibited Behavior Questionnaire
The following is a means of evaluating Disinhibited, or Provocative Behavior. Sometimes a patient
is aware he/she is disinhibited. Sometimes only the care-giver is aware of the patient's disinhibited behavior. Disinhibited
behavior may be related to: (1) Anxiety (2) Depression (3) Mood Swings (4) Difficulty sleeping (5) Delusions (6) Hallucinations
(7) dementia. Written for PD but application to other illnesess.
Dyskinesia Self Evaluation Form
If you have dyskinesias, writhing or wiggling movements, learn to evaluate them. It can help
in managing your disease. It can help in adjusting your medications. Written for PD but application to other illnesess.
Dystonia-Stratagies For Controlling
Physician's Guide: To become familiar with the types and causes of dystonia; learn which diagnostic
options are most appropriate in specific situations; understand the basics of treatment, including drug therapy, botulinum
toxin, and surgery, for dystonia.
Hallucinations Questionnaire
Any Score, 10% (1 YES answer) to 100% (10 YES answers) is abnormal. Complete the Questionnaire
each week the hallucinations are present. Quick quiz that you can submit answers to be scored (kept in confidence. Written
for PD but application to other illnesess.
Managing Other Symptoms from Handbook For Mortals
http://www.mywhatever.com/cifwriter/library/mortals/mor08000.htmlVarious symptoms can cause trouble at the end of life. Many can be alleviated most, if not all,
of the time. Shortness of breath;
Mouth dryness; Digestive system problems; Bed sores; Fatigue ; Depression and anxiety
and Confusion
Mood Swings Questionnaire
http://www.parkinson.org/qmood.htmMood Swings, Volatility, Emotional "Ups and Downs" can be associated with: Agitation, Anxiety,Depression,
Difficulty sleeping, Delusions, Dementia, Hallucinations or Disinhibited Behavior. Intrepretation: 0% to 30% probably normal,
0% to 70% may be abnormal or 80% to 100% probably abnormal. Written for PD but application to other illnesess.
Myoclonus and chorea-Characteristics, causes, and clinical options
Physician's Guide: Myoclonic and choreic disorders encompass a wide range of manifestations,
from simple jerking during sleep in neurologically normal persons to wild, potentially injurious flailing in patients with
ballismus. Recognition of the type and cause of the disorder is the first step toward helping patients achieve better functioning
when possible. Dr Caviness reviews classification of myoclonus and chorea and discusses appropriate evaluation and the available
treatment options.
Pain-How To Relieve Pain Without Medicine
Hospice article: Relaxation/Basic guideleines and techniques; Biofeedback, Imagery,
Distractions, Skin Stimulation; Massage, Pressure, Vibration, Cold or Hot, Menthol Preparations, Operations, Nerve
Blocks, Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Alcohol, Majijuana, Acupuncture, and Hypnosis.
Pain management for dying patients
Physician's Guide: To learn how to give a variety of effective opioids for patients in severe
pain; understand the importance of preventing and treating adverse effects; recognize the multiple dimensions of pain
Pain: What Is It?
http://www.hospicenet.org/html/what_is_pain.htmlWritten by Hospice for cancer patients but discussses What Should I Tell Those Caring For Me
About My Pain? Side effects of pain; How to describe how bad or intense the pain is; can anxiety or depression cause pain,
etc.
Quality of Life survey
Although written for Parkinson's, this survey can help any family measure a person's current
Quality of Life: A chronic condition that affects Mobility and may affect a person's ability to perform the ordinary Activities
of Daily Living. It's less well known but PDn may also affect a person's Emotional State , their Body Functions, and their
Thinking and Communicating skills. In trying to put a number on a person with PD's Quality of Life , all of the above must
be considered. This Scale is such an attempt. At a minimum, the Scale will teach people with PD, their family and friends
how different aspects of the disease impact on the Quality of Life, how the progression of the disease affects the Quality
of Life, and how various treatments and coping strategies may improve the Quality of Life
Sleep-related behavior disorders management
Physician's Guide: To identify the various abnormal sleep
states known as parasomnias; understand how parasomnias are diagnosed in a sleep studies laboratory; become familiar with
the recommended treatments for parasomnia.
