Lesson 1Pain assessment in older adults: self-report, observational tools for cognitively impaired residents, pattern and impact of painThis lesson covers best practices for assessing pain in older adults, focusing on self-reporting methods, reliable observational tools for those with cognitive challenges, analysing pain patterns, and understanding how pain affects sleep, mood, mobility, and daily activities in Namibian care settings.
Principles of self-reported pain assessmentPain scales for cognitively impaired residentsAssessing pain pattern, triggers, and durationImpact of pain on function, mood, and sleepReassessment and documenting pain responsesLesson 2Systematic physical assessment: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal (including mobility and gait), skin integrity, and continenceThis lesson examines a systematic head-to-toe physical check for older adults, emphasising cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal systems, skin condition, and continence to identify early signs of decline, guide interventions, and promote safe daily care in Namibian facilities.
Cardiovascular assessment and vital sign trendsRespiratory assessment and breath sound changesMusculoskeletal strength, mobility, and gait analysisSkin integrity, pressure injury and wound screeningBladder and bowel continence assessment toolsLesson 3Functional status assessment: ADLs, IADLs, mobility aids use, transfers, and need for assistanceThis lesson teaches how to evaluate functional status through activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (IADLs), mobility, transfers, and assistance requirements, to set baselines, plan rehabilitation, allocate resources, and track changes in Namibian aged care.
Assessing basic ADLs and care dependenceEvaluating IADLs and community functioningMobility aids use and safe techniqueTransfer ability and manual handling needsSetting realistic functional goals with residentsLesson 4Falls risk assessment specifics: environmental review, footwear, orthostatic hypotension, polypharmacy and sensory deficitsThis lesson details falls risk evaluation, including environmental checks, footwear assessment, orthostatic hypotension, multiple medications, and sensory impairments, to develop targeted prevention plans and lower injury risks for older adults in Namibian settings.
Using validated falls risk assessment toolsEnvironmental and equipment safety reviewFootwear, foot problems, and mobility aidsScreening for orthostatic hypotensionPolypharmacy and sedative medication risksVision, hearing, and other sensory deficitsLesson 5Collecting accurate history in the first 48 hours: past medical history, fall history, social history, cultural preferences, and advanced directivesThis lesson offers a structure for gathering precise history within the first 48 hours, covering past medical and fall incidents, social background, cultural preferences, and advance care directives, to shape personalised, value-driven care plans in Namibian care homes.
Past medical and surgical history collectionPrevious falls, injuries, and near-miss eventsSocial history, routines, and support networksCultural, spiritual, and language preferencesAdvance directives and goals of careLesson 6Social and family assessment: capacity, family concerns, frequency of visits, cultural and language needsThis lesson explains assessing social supports, family interactions, decision-making ability, and caregiver worries, while noting cultural, spiritual, and language requirements that affect care planning, communication, and resident involvement in Namibian contexts.
Assessing social support and living arrangementsEvaluating decision-making capacity indicatorsIdentifying family concerns and expectationsCultural, spiritual, and language care needsCarer stress, burden, and respite needsLesson 7Medication review on admission: reconciliation process, high-risk medications for older adults, interactions and anticholinergic burdenThis lesson reviews secure medication reconciliation upon admission, stressing history verification, spotting high-risk drugs, identifying interactions and anticholinergic effects, and partnering with pharmacists and doctors in Namibian aged care practices.
Collecting a complete medication historyIdentifying high-risk medicines in geriatricsRecognizing drug interactions and duplicationsAssessing anticholinergic and sedative burdenWorking with pharmacists and prescribersLesson 8Nutrition and hydration screening: weights, food/fluid intake monitoring, dysphagia risk indicators, oral healthThis lesson outlines screening for nutrition and hydration, including weight records, intake tracking, swallowing difficulties, and oral health, to detect malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration risks, and direct referrals and care planning in Namibian facilities.
Baseline weight, BMI, and weight change trendsUsing malnutrition screening toolsMonitoring food and fluid intake accuratelyRecognizing dysphagia and aspiration risk signsOral health, dentures, and swallowing impactLesson 9Documentation standards and handover: use of structured templates and communicating key findings to MDT within 48 hoursThis lesson describes documentation and handover protocols for the initial 48 hours, highlighting structured templates, clear reasoning, risk overviews, and prompt sharing of vital findings with the multidisciplinary team in Namibian care settings.
Using structured admission assessment templatesWriting clear, concise clinical notesSummarizing key risks and prioritiesVerbal and written handover to MDTTimeframes and accountability in first 48 hoursLesson 10Cognitive and mood evaluation: when and how to assess cognition and mood, baseline cognitive observations, collateral history from familyThis lesson addresses structured evaluation of cognition and mood, including screening timing, tool selection, result interpretation, baseline observations, and family insights to differentiate delirium, dementia, and depression in Namibian older adults.
Screening for delirium, dementia, and depressionSelecting and using cognitive screening toolsMood assessment and suicide risk indicatorsGathering collateral history from family or carersDocumenting baseline cognition and behavior
