Risk assessment with an older woman - dementia or depression?

This is a film, in two parts, that explores risk assessment with an older woman. The first demonstrates poor practice, as two nurses display a number of prejudices and poor attitudes towards older people, leading to potentially dangerous and damaging assumptions.

In the second part, the nurse is respectful, interested and attentive. This enables him to find out what effectively happened to Mrs Harmon in a compassionate way, helping her talk about her very difficult recent experience.

While watching it, look at the different things that are unhelpful in the first part. In the second, you might think about what might have contributed to Mrs Harmon's feelings and the slight "confusion" she describes.

Incidentally, this film features one of the last performances of the celebrated film and TV actor and drama teacher, Eileen Essell, who appeared with Johnny Depp in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

If you want to read more about the subject matter of this film, you can try "A Pocket Guide to Risk Assessment and Management in Mental Health", by Chris Hart and published by Routledge. It's available as an e-Book, on Amazon and in book shops.