One of the most essential elements in providing quality dementia care is familiarity with the person. Person centered care is the keystone of ensuring that care is coordinated and tailored to each individual’s needs.
IPRO’s “Get to Know Me” form was created with a focus on the dementia and cognitively impaired population. This resource is used to provide staff with person-centered insight by sharing details of the resident’s preferences, life history and qualities that make them unique. This basic information can foster a more authentic and personalized relationship between the resident or patient and any healthcare professional, clinical or non-clinical, who may interact with them.
IPRO also created a similar form to be used during transfers, transitions and appointments. It can be especially challenging when a person with dementia or other cognitive impairment is removed from their familiar environment. The “Get to Know Me: Transfers, Transitions and Appointments” form helps to provide insight into the resident or patient to help avoid triggers that could result in disruptions due to changes in the environment and their usual care providers.
Consider a scenario where a person with dementia is transferred from a nursing home to the emergency department (ED). The ED staff may notice that the patient appears fearful and restless, but the patient is unable to articulate their needs or preferences. In this case, the “Get to Know Me” form might indicate that they enjoy a certain TV show and snack, which can easily change the trajectory of that ED visit.
You can find these resources along with “Tips for Use” in the IPRO resource library.