• Because of cognitive impairment, time spent with people with ARBI needs to involve less discussion and more action
• You may need to be more directive in your approach than you are accustomed to
• You may need to deal with your own feelings of discomfort in this role
• The focus of change is often on the environment, rather than the person
• You will need to visit the person to assess and monitor his or her ability to cope in his or her own environment

Developing a case plan

There are two components to developing a useful case plan.

Relationship Building

Relationship building with the person affected by ARBI, carers and service providers is an important component of case management and may take considerable time and patience. This stage is primarily for the person, carers and others to get to know the case manager, their role, and their limitations.

The aim is for the client to perceive the case manager as non-judgmental, supportive and available to them. The process is one of joint collaboration in an effort to assess the services needed and to provide every opportunity for people to function to their full potential.

Assessment of individual needs

The assessment of individual needs may also be time consuming and involves careful evaluation of the individual and their environment. Carers and family members can be an invaluable source of information about the person's daily functioning and existing strategies.

You Need to Assess the Person's:

• Level of cognitive functioning
• General health, hygiene and nutritional status
• Degree of mobility (balance and coordination)
• Any co-existing psychiatric or physical disability
• Personality, coping strategies and existing skills

You need also to assess:

• Services already in place
• Support provided by family and friends
• Accommodation
• Strategies that have been useful to date in dealing with problems associated with ARBI