Script for Simulation Case: Interviewing a Grandparent Caregiver with Age Related Hearing Loss
The below scripts provides answers to potential questions that may be asked of the Grandparent Caregiver. Actors should be reminded that they should behave as a person with age related hearing loss. Suggestions to the actors include: Not always hearing the questions the first time it is asked, asking the resident to repeat questions or statements, or occasionally misunderstanding the questions. Actors should also be encouraged to appear to hear and respond better to residents who maintain eye contact, sit at the actor’s level, and who speak slowly and clearly. The voice of the mannequin is used in order to allow the patient to communicate with his caregivers and to provide distraction during the history gathering exercise. The simulated patient can initially be fairly somnolent during the interview, but become more talkative as the interview goes on, making statements like, “I feel fine, I want to go home.” If residents ask the mannequin further questions, the mannequin can answer “I don’t know.” or refuse to speak, as children in the medical setting often do.
If asked what happened: I was working around this house this morning, cleaning the laundry and the kitchen, and when I went to get Johnny ready for lunch I found him asleep in the living room on the floor. Johnny is a really busy child, so I was shocked to find him sleeping and thought something must be wrong.
If asked if he had any other symptoms: No, he was his normal self this morning.
If asked when she found him asleep: It must have been about 2.5- 3 hours ago now.
If asked where she stores her medications: I keep them in my bathroom next to the sink. I have an easier time remembering to take them when I see them when I brush my teeth. We have a small shelf right above the sink where we keep our toothbrushes, and I don’t think Johnny pays any attention to it. I like to get the easy open tops on the bottles so I can open them on days when my arthritis acts up.
If asked what medication he took: I think he took my blood pressure pills. I take Clonidine because it isn’t too expensive.
If asked what other medications are in the home: I also take ibuprofen for my arthritis when it is bad, medicine for my diabetes, and medicine for my cholesterol. I can’t remember the name of the medicines right now. My husband takes some medication for his blood and blood pressure medicine.
If asked how many pills her grandson took: I don’t know. I looked in the bathroom and just saw the pills all over the floor. I got the medicine filled 3 days ago, so it was pretty full.
If asked where she gets her medications filled: At the local Wal-Mart.
Is there anyone who could count the number of pills left at home? Why, yes. My husband is at home since he doesn’t like hospitals much (she can pretend to have called and report that there are 25, meaning he took 2).
If asked what is the dose of Clonidine she takes? It was 0.1mg tablets, but the grandmother doesn’t know this. The resident may get this information if the grandmother calls home, or if they call the pharmacy.
If asked if she has any medical problems: Yes, I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and arthritis.
If asked if her grandson has any health problems: He is hyperactive and has asthma, but hasn’t even had to stay in the hospital.
If asked if her grandson is on any medications: He takes Concerta and uses an albuterol puffer if he is wheezing.
Is there another location she could start to keep her medications? I am sure there is, but I need to be able to remember to take it, and it can’t be too hard to get to for the days when my arthritis is acting up. Do you have any suggestions for me so Johnny doesn’t end up here again?
If asked why the grandson is in her custody: I’ve had Johnny since he was little. His mom has had a drug problem as long as I remember. I think she might beat it this time. She’s been in a rehab program for the last 2 months.