Download Some Information about Dementia and Supporting our People

Supporting People
with Dementia
How to use this Power Point
Start and end with a time of introspection or
prayer if that is what you are used to (some
are included at the end of this power point).
Spending time sharing in teams about a
particular individual might be helpful.
Be as interactive as possible. Give people
time to give examples or share knowledge
that they have.
Introduction
Those who have dementia will teach us a
whole different way of being with each
other.
They may require more support than we are
able to provide.
The disease presents slightly differently in
each individual but there are some
commonalities
The following information is
from
A presentation by Pamela Singleton, Kathy
Johnston and Dianne Hope of York South
Association for community Living.They
have given permission to adapt for our use.
The Down Syndrome Scotland Website
Before Assuming Someone has
Dementia Do The Following
The conditions on the following pages are
usually treatable. Therefore it is of utmost
importance that a thorough medical
assessment be completed before a diagnosis
of dementia is made. A gerontologist may
be the most appropriate person to do this.
Other conditions that may mimic
symptoms of dementia
Abnormal Thyroid
function
Infections
Pernicious anemia
Adverse drug
reactions
Acute physical illness
Diabetes
Cardiac Abnormalities
Sleep apnea
Depression
Constipation
Hearing /vision losses
Multiple Stokes
Recent bereavement
Risk Factors
 Down’s Syndrome
- Ages 40-49
- Ages 50-59
- Ages 60-69
- Over 70
 Family History
 Age
11%
70%
90%
100%
Effects of Alzheimer's Disease
1. Mental Abilities
2. Emotions and Moods
3. Reactions
4. Physical Abilities
** Alzheimer’s Disease does NOT affect the person’s
ability to appreciate, respond to & express feelings such as
joy, anger, fear, love or sadness!
The Three Stages: Stage 1
Mental
Mild forgetfulness, difficulty in learning new things,
problems with orientation, communication difficulties,
limited attention span.
Emotion
Mild mood shifts, depression
Reaction
Passiveness, withdrawal from usual activities, restlessness
Physical
Mild co-ordination problems
Stage 2
Mental
Memory problems, forgetfulness about personal history,
inability to recognize friends/family, disorientation, gets lost
easily
Emotions Personality change, confusion, anxiety, paranoia,
sadness/depression, hostility/aggression
Reaction
Restlessness, repetition, delusions, aggression, uninhibited
behaviour, extreme passiveness, crying and screaming
Physical
Assistance required for daily tasks, disrupted sleep patterns,
appetite fluctuations, language difficulties, visual spatial
problems, frequent falls
Stage 3
Mental
Loss of ability to remember, communicate or function,
inability to process information, severe speaking difficulties,
severe disorientation to people, time and place
Emotions
Possible withdrawal, limited facial expressions
Reactions
Incoherent muttering, non-verbal methods of communicating
(eye-contact, crying, groaning)
Physical
Bedridden, aspiration, prone to pneumonia and bedsores,
loses ability to speak, complete incontinence, unable to dress/
bathe, weight loss
Remaining Strengths
Awareness of memory and emotions
Ability to use senses (smell, touch, taste,
hearing)
Ability to remember well-learned skills
Long-term memory
Sense of humor
Music Appreciation
Communication
 Finding ways to be communicate is crucial
in maintaining our relationship with
someone who has dementia.
 Communication is a two way street. I am
communicating with the other person and
they are communicating with me .
 The following are some suggestions for
facilitating communication both ways.
Communication From The
Person
Listen with your ears
and heart
Don’t take things said
personally
Don’t argue
Don’t reason
Don’t confront
Don’t remind them
they forgot
Don’t question recent
memory
Do agree with them
then distract/redirect
them
Do accept the blame if
something is wrong
Do use touch
Communicating To the Person
Face to face
Eye contact
Speak slowly and
clearly
Calm, gentle approach
Use short sentences
Allow natural breaks
and periods of silence
One message at a time
Repeat the message
Use actions, along
with words
Use humor and
cheerfulness
Other Things That Facilitate
Communication
 Belief—that every person, regardless of abilities,
maintains a core of self that can be reached.
 Creativity—in expressing both your feelings and
your message.
 Understanding—of the effect of the disease on
communication
 Patience—to slow down, listen, watch, wait for a
response, repeat a phrase.
 Skills—to convey the message or feelings
effectively
Always Remember
That we all communicate by emotion,
expression and touch. Holding a hand, or
smiling when talking can convey more than
any words.
That feelings remain despite the losses
caused by Alzheimer Disease. Feelings
may be the only way an individual
understands what is going on.
Always Remember
To be aware of your body and facial
expressions. Harsh glances can be just as
negative as harsh words.
To include the individual. It is painful to be
ignored because of your difficulties in
communicating.
From “Day to day Communication” from Alzheimer Society
Factors To Consider That Might
be Increasing Symptoms
Medication
Stress
Time Confusion
Basic Needs
Restlessness
Lack of recognition
Fear
Past Behaviour
Some Typical Challenging
Behaviors
Sundowning &
Shadowing
Agitation
Anger
Catastrophic Reactions
Confrontation
Paranoia
Depression
Eating
Forgetfulness
Hoarding
Hygiene/Bathing
Incontinence
Dehydration
Repetitive questioning
Wandering
Where To Get Help
 Most often the people best able to respond
to questions, make suggestions and provide
support are your local Alzheimer’s Society.
 Down Syndrome Scotland has helpful
information as well including a booklet for
explaining dementia to other people with
intellectual disabilities.
www.dsscotland.organization.uk
Don’t Forget
That the understanding, compassion and
care we show those who have dementia is
teaching us new ways of being with each
other.
Some Prayers
O Lord look with favor on your people,
and impart your love to us- not as an
idea or concept but as a lived
experience.We can love each other only
because you have loved us first. Let us
know that first love so that we can see
in all human love, a love without
conditions and limitations.
May the power and the mystery go before us, to
show us the way,
Shine above us to lighten our world,
Lie beneath us to bear us up,
Walk with us and give us companionship,
And glow and flow within us to bring us joy.
Amen
Judith Walker-Riggs
•
Loving God,
We thank you for the gift of life and love.
Thank you too for all the seasons of life: for
birth, for youth, for adulthood and for old age.
Help us to know that no matter what season we
are in, we are all loved and valued by you.
Help us, as well, to trust always in you
goodness, for we ask this in the name of your
son Jesus Christ who is alive and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Merciful God,
you know our weakness and distress.
Yet the weaker we are,
the stronger is your help.
Grant that we may accept with joy and
gratitude
the gift of this time of grace,
and bear witness to your work in our lives.