Support individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities

Describe possible multiple conditions and/or disabilities that individuals may have

People with severe or multiple disabilities may exhibit wide range of characteristics, depending on the combination & severity of disabilities, and the person’s age. There are however, some traits they may share, including: needs assistance in their everyday routine from getting up, dressing up and assisting with their meals and drinks, limited speech or communication, difficulty in basic physical mobility, tendency to forget skills through disuse, trouble generalizing from one situation to another and a need for support in major live activities (e.g. domestic, leisure, community use, vocational).

Explain how multiple conditions and/or disabilities may have an additional impact on the individual’s well being and quality of life

An individual who have a physical disability means they need to use a wheelchair and a sensory impairment results in them having a hearing impairment or a sight impairment and autism. This affect them in their everyday life; getting around their home, going out, using services & facilities, communicating with people, getting information in a format that’s right for them (Braille, Easy Read, Audio, DVD, Large Print) accessing buildings, public transport, people’s lack of awareness & understanding & their attitudes & opinions. They are treated differently to others, people assuming that you couldn’t speak for yourself, patronising you, discriminating against you, being stereo-typed giving them low self esteem and afraid of socializing.

Explain how multiple conditions and/or disabilities may impact on individuals opportunity to participate in a range of activities.

The greater the severity or impact on an individual, there is a greater likelihood for increased need for supports. Often, individuals with a severe disability require ongoing, extensive support in more than one major life activity in order to enjoy the quality of life available to people with fewer or no disabilities. Ongoing supports may also be necessary to help individuals with severe or multiple disabilities to participate in integrated community settings. Inside a care homes, its difficult to create an activities that will participated by most residents. People who have sensory impairment will unlikely to participate in creative arts activities. Those who have mobility problems needs wheelchairs and individuals to support them when going out.

Outcome 2

Understand own role in supporting individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities

1. Describe own role in supporting the well being of individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities

In my role, I encourage and assists residents with personal care, assisting with their meals and drinks, providing them with the supports they need in relation to their disabilities. Encourage them to live the lives they used to enjoy. My duties are varied and I am required to assess, adapt and provide supports with various situations that may arise, ensuring all emotional, mental, psychological and physical needs of the individuals .

2. Explain the steps to take when actions may be outside of the scope of own role and responsibilities.
Inform your Line Manager about problems or conditons that have come out. Make sure that everything that happened is recorded and documented. Refer to their Care Plan for the professionals individuals who are directly involved with their care assessment like their GP, Social Worker, CPN and others. Informed families about these. Other professionals you can refer are district nurses, physiotherapist, SALT, Opthalmologist and dentist. Asked for their advice and referrals for other professionals. Other professional bodies may be inquire like CQC and CSSIW.

OUTCOME 3

Understand the support available for individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities

1. Research the roles of professionals who may provide support to individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities in own local area. Social Worker – is the individual who overseas the general care plan of every service users. They make sure that all the service users needs and requirements are met and provide. GPs – Maintain overall health conditions and medications of all individuals. Keeps records of health history of every individuals. Make referrals with specialize professionals when other health problems arise. Physiotherapist – assessed individuals with their moving and handling conditions. CPN – assessed mental conditions of individuals and and make referrals with regards to their care settings and medications. SALT – assessed their swallowing problems

Dentist – maintain their oral health conditions. Provide dentures when needed. Optician – make corrective lenses for individuals
Ophthalmologist – diagnoses and treats diseases of the eye, including different kinds of infections, cataracts (clouding of the lenses), glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye, leading to damage to the optic nerve), macular degeneration (age-related degeneration of the central part of the vision), and diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels supplying the retina of the eye) District Nurses – look after general health condition of all residents including pressure areas of skins, mobility, urinary conditions and others. They make referrals or gives advice when any deterioration in health condition of any residents.

2. Explain the range of equipment that is available to support the additional needs of individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities.

There are many different types of equipment that may enable people with multiple disabilities to remain independent for longer or make it easier for others to give support. Adaptations and improvements to the home may also help a person to stay at home for longer. Of course, each person is different. What may be useful for one person at a particular stage may not be appropriate for another. Most common equipment being used are wheelchairs (adapted to suit every individual needs), hoist, standing hoist, mobility scooters, hearing aids and other communication devices, zimmer frames, walking stick, corrective lenses, nursing beds with different mattresses, and others.

3. Explain the range of resources that is available to support the additional needs of individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities.

It would depend on the individual needs……..and then community funding/availability of the resources. There are private foundations/non-profits offers funds but eligibility criteria for assistance. NHS provides relevant information on what organization you can go to for different resources. It tells how you can get equipment and the help from other government trust and what social services can provide. It then gives details of financial help that may be available

4. Explain the importance of informal networks in providing support to individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities.

Informal networks could include:
• Family
• Friends
• Neighbours
• Special interest groups
They provide the vital information on how the individuals used to live, their likes and dislikes, specials interests, occupations, group association and health history. They supports the emotional and psychological needs of the individuals.

Others could include:
• Other professionals
• Carers/family members
• Advocates
• Colleagues
They support the residents to meet the daily challenges of living with certain disabilities. They are vital in making the residents live a meaningful life. Support them in their daily and recreational activities.

Outcome 5

Be able to evaluate the support provided to an individual to engage in activities

1. Explain where additional advice, guidance or support can be accessed to improve own practice.

You can ask advised and guidance from your Line Manager, Deputy Manager, or Senior Carer . Continued training provided by reliable training center will improve own practice.