Open Access Kent State (OAKS)

This article describes a typical, yet fictionalized woman with Alzheimer’s disease during her first week at a nursing home. Readers are challenged to ask themselves in what areas of difficulty a speech-language pathologist may or may not be able to contribute to the success of this resident. The authors use the World Health Organization’sInternational Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health [International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, 2001, Geneva, Switzerland] as the framework for assessments and the resident-centered interventions for this case study.

Learning outcomes

1. The reader will be able to identify the four main constructs of the ICF classification system.

2. The reader will be able to identify three environmental factors that may influence the functioning of a person with Alzheimer’s disease.

3. The reader will be able to discuss at least four interventions that can be implemented by a speech-language pathologist to improve a nursing home resident’s participation in daily activities.