CARE PLANNING FOR PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS

Basic care planning begins with a problem statement, which includes:

  1. A statement of the general problem area

Examples:

·  Alteration in mood and behavior

·  Mood and behavioral symptoms

  1. In relation to a specific diagnosis

Examples:

·  Related to dementia with agitated features

·  Related to depression

·  Related to schizophrenia

  1. List specific symptoms resident is experiencing, prefacing with “as evidenced by”

Examples:

·  as evidenced by striking out with contact

·  as evidenced by resisting vital personal care and treatment

·  as evidenced by throwing potentially harmful things at staff

·  as evidenced by verbally abusive comments to peers such as “You stupid, fat pig!”

  1. Note complicating factors or what exacerbates the basic problem

Example: Complicated by pain, hearing loss, adjustment to new environment, and grief related to loss of home (draw on MDS triggers to identify potential complicating factors)

  1. Acknowledge resident’s strengths

Examples:

·  Supportive family

·  Able to communicate needs with cues

·  Comfortable expressing feelings of loss with social services

·  Enjoys petting facility dog