Establish and reinforce an effective, reliable communication method and a dependable call-signal; carry over the SLP plan.
Provide skilled observation for a communication change and escalate a new deficit; integrate the deficit into how teaching and assessment are delivered.
Ensure the resident can report pain and a change in condition despite the deficit; re-evaluate and rebuild the method when it fails.
Teaching / training (to mastery)
Teach the resident and caregiver the communication method and any AAC device, and how to signal needs and distress, with return-demonstration/teach-back.
Train CNAs on the resident’s specific communication method, the call-signal, and how to elicit and recognize a report of pain or change, with documented understanding.
