Structured Interview

OBJECTIVES

1. Discuss ways in which a Personal Preference Indicators tool for elders (PPI-E) can help improve communication and quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's disease
2. Administer the Personal Preference Indicators interview tool

ACTIVITIES

The "Personal Preference Indicators for Elders" interview tool helps older adults communicate what they like and dislike. It gives them the opportunity to be involved in making decisions concerning their care. It also helps health care providers find more effective ways to communicate with their patients.

Please conduct TWO structured interviews with two different aging adults, two different caregivers of an aging adult, or two different pairs of adult and caregiver together. Each interview accounts for six (6) hours of effort in the A.G.E. Program, resulting in this activity accounting for twelve (12) hours. Your experience will be more meaningful if you interview an individual with some level of disability.

Please use the Personal Preference Indicators (PPI-E) tool to guide your interview.

Download the PPI-E instrument

The suggested responses to questions included on the interview tool are "prompts" to give you some ideas of how others have answered. Feel free to encourage an open discussion and use additional questions that you think would be appropriate.

Prepare a two-page summary of the interview results and your experience. Your paper should include:

1. A summary of interviewee's answers
2. How you feel this tool might help enhance communication with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia
3. Your impression of the interview experience
4. How such an interview tool might be useful in your work setting

DO NOT include the interviewee's name or any other identifiers in your paper.

Submit the paper to your program coordinator.