Cognitive impairment guidelines for AOD services
Landmark guidelines published
Whakaohooho manawa ora: Cognitive screening and support in alcohol and other drug services Aotearoa New Zealand practice guidelines are the first New Zealand guidelines for identifying and supporting people’s cognitive impairment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) settings. This is an important document for several reasons.
- Cognitive impairment may impact up to 80% of people accessing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, but it frequently goes unrecognised.
- Recognising a person’s cognitive impairment and understanding their strengths is important for tailoring support and working in partnership to improve treatment outcomes for people accessing AOD services.
Guidance is needed to ensure that identifying cognitive impairment is done in a way that avoids unnecessary harm and trauma and upholds people’s mana.
The guidelines are primarily for workers in AOD services who have not had specialised training in cognitive screening and assessment. However, these guidelines may also be useful for the entire mental health and addiction workforce, workers in the community and primary care.
Background
Recognising a person’s cognitive impairment and understanding their strengths is important for tailoring support and working in partnership to improve treatment outcomes for people accessing AOD services.
In 2022, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora commissioned Te Pou to develop guidelines to help workers in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services to identify and support people experiencing cognitive impairment, and their whānau. Te Pou developed the guidelines in partnership with an external technical advisory group, and with wider sector input.
Cognitive impairment practice guidelines micro-learning
The purpose of this learning resource is to support alcohol and other drug (AOD) kaimahi to navigate the guidelines and access information relevant for working with tāngata whai ora (and their whānau) living with cognitive impairment.
The micro-learning introduces:
- cognitive impairment and its impact on tāngata whai ora
- cognitive screening
- supports for tāngata whai ora and whānau.
The micro-learning is hosted on Pūkoro, our learning management system. On your first visit to the site, you will need to create an account. You will find the micro-learning in the Te Pou section of Pūkoro.
Cognitive connection cards
Cognitive connection cards are designed as a practical tool for addiction kaimahi to build confidence in engaging with tāngata whai ora when cognitive challenges are present.
The cards support the use of Whakaohooho manawa ora: Cognitive screening and support in alcohol and other drug services Aotearoa New Zealand practice guidelines.
The purpose of the cards is to:
- initiate respectful, non-judgemental conversations about cognitive challenges
- identify patterns that may suggest cognitive challenges
- adapt your approach to better meet the needs of tāngata whai ora.
Card sets are available to order as a hard copy. A set includes three double-sided cards, laminated and connected by a steel-hinged binding ring. They measure 17 x 11cm (small enough to carry with you or attach to a lanyard, and large enough to read clearly). They also include QR codes with links to other associated information and resources.
