20968 version 2
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Demonstrate knowledge of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in a
community field work setting
Level
4
Credits
7
Purpose
This unit standard is intended for people involved in, or planning to become
involved in, community field work. Community field workers provide
education, support, information, and advocacy in a health or disability setting
in a consumer’s own home, a residential facility, and in the community.
Community field workers work with a high degree of autonomy and are
responsible for making independent decisions in remote situations.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: define neuro-degenerative
conditions collectively labelled as parkinsonism; describe possible causative
factors associated with parkinsonism; describe mid-brain and brain chemistry
and its relationship to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease; describe
symptoms frequently associated with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease; and
demonstrate knowledge of support and advocacy services for a person with
parkinsonism and their care partner(s) and family/whānau.
Subfield
Community Support
Domain
Community Field Work
Status
Registered
Status date
20 May 2008
Date version published
20 May 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Community Support Services Industry Training
Organisation Limited
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0024
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20968 version 2
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Special notes
1
Definition
Parkinsonism is a term used to describe a neuro-degenerative condition
characterised by loss of motor functioning resulting in a decline of a person’s ability.
Parkinson’s disease represents the major component of these conditions.
2
The primary references for this unit standard include but are not limited to:
Lieberman, AN, and Lieberman, AMD, Shaking Up Parkinson Disease: Fighting Like
a Tiger, Thinking Like a Fox (Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlet Inc, 2002); Lansek, R,
Oxtoby, M, and Williams, A, Parkinson at your fingertips (Sydney, McGraw-Hill,
2002).
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Define neuro-degenerative conditions collectively labelled as parkinsonism.
Performance criteria
1.1
Parkinson’s disease is defined in accordance with the primary references.
1.2
Multiple system atrophy is defined in accordance with the primary references.
1.3
Progressive supranuclear palsy is defined in accordance with the primary
references.
1.4
Two other neuro-degenerative conditions associated with the term parkinsonism
are defined in accordance with the primary references.
Range
may include but is not limited to – olivopontocerebellar atrophy,
multiple system atrophy, basal ganglia tumour, Wilson disease,
Lewy bodies.
Element 2
Describe possible causative factors associated with parkinsonism.
Performance criteria
2.1
Three possible causes of parkinsonism are described in accordance with the
primary references.
Range
may include but is not limited to – unknown aetiology, apoptosis,
bacteriological factors, genetic susceptibility, chemical abuse
factors, environmental toxins.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20968 version 2
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Element 3
Describe mid-brain and brain chemistry and its relationship to the symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease.
Performance criteria
3.1
The major structures of the mid-brain are identified and described in terms of
their function and in accordance with the primary references.
Range
3.2
may include but is not limited to – substantia nigra, basal ganglia,
striatum, thalamus, globus pallidus, sub thalamic nucleus.
The role of the neurotransmitter dopamine is described in terms of its
relationship to movement and in accordance with the primary references.
Element 4
Describe symptoms frequently associated with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Performance criteria
4.1
Presenting symptoms are described in accordance with their defining
characteristics and in accordance with the primary references.
Range
4.2
tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability.
Five features of ongoing developing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are
described in accordance with the primary references.
Range
may include but is not limited to – speech difficulties, swallowing
difficulties, tiredness, depression, alteration in memory, bladder
disturbances, bowel disturbances.
Element 5
Demonstrate knowledge of support and advocacy services for a person with parkinsonism
and their care partner(s) and family/whānau.
Performance criteria
5.1
Medications that are used to treat parkinsonism are described in terms of their
effects and contra-indications.
Range
5.2
dopamine replacement, dopamine agonists, anticholinergics,
monoamine oxibase B inhibitors, catechol-o-metethyl transferase
inhibitors, muscle relaxants, antidepressant medication.
Support needs for a person with parkinsonism are described for any three
symptoms in terms of accessibility and resource availability in the community.
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5.3
Support needs of the care partner(s) and family/whanau of the person with
parkinsonism are described in terms of accessibility and resource availability in
the community.
5.4
Two agencies that advocate on behalf of the person with parkinsonism, their
care partner(s) and the family/whānau are described in terms of the services
they provide and their availability.
Range
may include but is not limited to – Parkinson’s New Zealand
member organisations, UPBEAT, Age Concern, rest homes,
Social Services Support Link, District Health Board.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation Limited
enquiries@cssito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016