5N2706 Care of the Older Person Assessment Brief 2026 | The Open College

5N2706 Assessment Brief

Skills Demonstration Assessment

Assessment Details:

In this assessment you are required to write 3 comprehensive reports on the below skills undertaken within the care setting with a Client /Service User.

1. An outing or indoor activity {examples of outing: trip to cinema, garden centre, park, examples of indoor: cookery, cards, storytelling, arts & craft etc.}
2. A Reminiscence Session {examples: looking at old film, photo album, talking about past events in client’s life, school days etc.} preferably your client in this report should have a cognitive impairment
3. A Health Promotion Activity: {examples: Diet, Oral Hygiene, Exercise, hand hygiene, etc}

In the reports you are required to illustrate good client care practice.  In each of the reports you need to illustrate understanding and knowledge of your role in promoting safe practices, client independence, support, autonomy and dignity during the planning and implementation of the activities.

It is preferably that each report is based on a different client and the activity is relevant and suitable

Learning Outcomes addressed: 11,12,14, & 15

Your reports will be assessed on the following:

• Thorough organisation and preparation of the task, including identification of clients’ needs. (15 marks)
• Careful execution of the task. (15 marks)
• Effective communication throughout the task. (10 marks)
• Effective use of relevant safety and health practices.(10 marks)
• Comprehensive record of the task. (10 marks)

Instructions: Complete the assessment on a service user / client you have cared for during work placement, whereby you have been involved in assisting them with a recreational / therapeutic activity.

Structure / Headings for each report

The below Structure must be followed for each Skills Demonstration report & specific points to be addressed.

Title of Activity_______________

• Client Profile: {in this section provide details on the following: name, age, illness / disability, level of independence}

• Rational for the chosen activity: {why did you choose this activity and how would you involve the client in the decision-making process} 

• Preparation of the activity: {for example: materials, time, venue, transport etc. and discussion with supervisor/person in charge}

• Communication: {what communication techniques do you use to meet the needs of the client, such as verbal, non-verbal skills and written}

• Health and Safety: {in this section address safety measures and infection control that must be implemented and give rationale}

• Implementation of the Activity: {in this section outline from start to finish the activity itself, you can do this in steps e.g., step 1, 2, 3 and so on. It is important to place emphasis on good client care, support provided, promotion of independence and interaction, client feedback}

• Outline how you would communicate with other team members. (reporting and recording on the task).

• Reflection: {in this section reflect on the benefits of activity for the client and outline future recommendations to promote recreational activities}

Specific Guidelines & Important Information

1. Word Count: 1000 words per Skills report (+/-10%)
2. Your skill reports must be written in first person only.
3. Write in past tense
4. In your reports it is important to emphasize good client care, addressing how client’s privacy, dignity, independence, empathy, respect and positive self-image of clients would be promoted and maintained during the activity.
5. Ensure reports are structured using the headings above.
6. Reports do not require research information or supportive references.

For final presentation of your work please ensure:

• Accuracy of information supplied.
• Written in correct context and professional.
• Correct structure applied.
• Quality of Presentation
• Grammatical correctness and proper spelling
• Professional vocational language is used.

Your work must also protect the anonymity of the client and organisation, thus all names must be changed. This must be stated clearly in your work.

Please note: if you do go over your word count deduction will be at tutor discretion, based on the relevance of the information submitted.

Where applicable, in the skill report work can be supported with images of activities/material/equipment/ environment BUT NO IMAGES OF THE CLIENT CAN BE SUBMITTED.

Please note failure to adhere to all of the above, may result in deduction of marks.

Any results issued are provisional and subject to confirmation from the QQI External Authenticator.

Project Assessment

Write a comprehensive discussion on the care needs of the older person with a specific illness or disability.

Your assignment will be assessed on the following:

• Understanding and application of concepts associated with caring for older people (10 marks)
• Relevant research and sources of information (5 marks)
• Appropriate presentation of work (5 marks)
• Comprehensive analysis of findings and logical conclusions and recommendation (10 marks)
• Reflection on completion (10 marks)

Important Information: 

Learning Outcomes addressed: 1, 2,3 ,4 ,5,6,7,8,9,10, 13 &14 Your Project Must:

1. Have a word count of 3000 words {+/- 10%}
2. Be supported with relevant research material within the body of text.
3. Include a Bibliography.
4. Include a content page.
5. Be written in Third Person.

Please note if you do go over your word count deduction will be at tutor discretion, based on the relevance of the information submitted.  Please note: the following are not included in your word count.

• Content’s page
• Title page
• Bibliography/reference list
• Appendices

In the completion of this project, you may gather your material from a variety of resources which may include the following:

• The Internet——– reliable sources only. It is preferable to use Irish / UK based websites.
• Healthcare Literature/Journals
• Books
• Course Material

For final presentation of your work please ensure:

• Accuracy of information supplied.
• Quality of Presentation
• Written in the correct context as instructed.
• Grammatical correctness and proper spelling
• Professional vocational language is used.
• Referencing as per Harvard style.

 Please note failure to adhere to the above, may result in deduction of marks.

Important

For this project, please choose a client you have cared for with one of the below conditions associated with the older person.

You are required to base your project on ONE of the following:

1. Care of Older person with Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Care of Older person with a Cerebral Vascular Accident {stroke}
3. Care of Older person with Parkinson Disease
4. Care of Older Person with Vascular Dementia
5. Care of the older person with Arthritis

Guidelines: (Structure of Project to be followed)

Introduction:

• Introduce chosen topic and provide an overview of the aims of your project. Provide overview of your client, where he/or she has been cared for and when they were diagnosed with their condition

Ageing Process:

• Definition of healthy ageing, global and demographic trends
• Summary of the Physical signs associated with the body systems.
• Attitudes and stereotyping associated with older persons
• Social Impact {Financial, retirement, culture} associated with ageing

Specific Illness:

• Definition of the condition and who discovered this condition
• Causes
• Signs & symptoms
• Stages if associated with the condition.
• Treatment
• Statistics
• Current Research on treatment /management of the condition

Physical Needs of Client: For this section and having researched your chosen condition discuss the care that is provided to your chosen client under the following Activities of daily living headings:

• Maintaining safety
• Eating & drinking
• Personal hygiene
• Mobility
• Elimination
• Dying {in this section outline spiritual needs, specific care needs and care of body after death)

Cognitive Needs of Client: For this section and having researched your chosen condition   discuss the care that is provided to your chosen client under the following heading:

• Communication
• Memory
• Behaviour
• Rehabilitation
• Recreational

Role of HCA:  In this section discuss the role of the HCA in promoting quality care   under the following headings:

• Individualised care
• Empowerment, dignity , respect & Self-esteem
• Advocacy
• Involving family in care provision.
• Health promotion and education
• Importance of promoting positive attitudes to ageing .

Role of Specific Services: 

• Outline role of one statutory and one Voluntary agency in provision of services to the older person
• Summarise the range of care settings available for older persons

Conclusion:

• reflect on your project and knowledge you have gained.
• evaluate your findings.
• provide recommendations for yourself.
• provide recommendations on how quality care services could be improved for older person.

Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

LO1 – Discuss a range of age related issues to include healthy ageing, global and national demographic trends, the normal physiological and psychological processes of ageing, the social impact of ageing on older people and differing attitudes to ageing and older people

LO2 – Analyse the roles of the health care assistant in promoting positive attitudes to ageing and of statutory and voluntary agencies in promoting the well being of older people

LO3 – Examine a range of concepts and practices to include preparation for retirement and the ethnic and cultural influences on the older person

LO4 – Explore a range of older people’s needs to include physical, social, emotional, psychological, recreational, financial, environmental and spiritual needs

LO5 – Summarise the role of the health care assistant in providing care for older people

LO6 – Discuss the issues related to an older person with mental illness or dementia and of living with chronic illness

LO7 – Recognise the individual needs of the dying older person and their families

LO8 – Summarise the range of the care settings for older people and the members of the healthcare team available in each care setting

LO9 – Explore a range of specific services that are available for older people to include education, lifelong learning, retirement/the workplace and leisure

LO10 – Analyse current approaches towards developing quality in the provision of services for older people and their families to include standards and quality assurance

LO11 – Employ effective communication with the older person, their family and the multi disciplinary team

LO12 – Adapt care and practices to meet the needs of older people with cognitive and sensory impairment and physical disabilities

LO13 – Exercise duties in a way that is respectful to the person’s body after death

LO14 – Promote a range of aspects of care for the older person to include empowerment, advocacy, independence, individualised care, dignity, respect, choice, self esteem and include family and carers as partners in care

LO15 – Give assistance in the identification of how health promotion issues can be promoted in care settings for older people and in the provision of therapeutic interventions that will enhance the social interactions and quality of life of the older person