Hi All,
We had Dr Jennifer Bute come to our Carers meeting yesterday. She suffers with Dementia herself. I have mentioned her before.
Each time she comes I we learn something differant about how to handle this horrible disease as Carers. I gain more of an understanding of the illness after her chat.
I would like to share.
Dementia
Always a reason
Feelings remain
Patterns continue
There is always a reason
Meaning of words may be disconnected from their sounds;may not understand or may produce a word salad and not realise.
Talking about something familiar may enable them to join in .Singing remains.
Wandering may feel lost,responding to an hallucation or looking for a purpose
Questions
What is the time? Might mean
I have no idea what I am meant to be doing.
Can I go home? Often means I don't feel comfortable here.
When is X coming? P erhaps meansI am feeling lost and alone
Listen to the meaning behind the question and reassure.
More than a Memeory
Reduced attention span, ability to do things, understand or communicate increased agitation confusion
Caused by amyloid plaques tangles(rungs in the communication ladders)
Muscles die if not used so do neurones
Reading Writing and Arithmetic 3 R remain
Hallucations Time Travel
May think it is 1960
X not born
Y not married
Z still alive
Sundowning
Childhood patterns
She mentioned the film The Iron Lady would show this kind of thing.
Visual Spatial Muddle
Loss of blue,purple green colours
Strange lighting patterns
Might not recognise self in a mirror and think its someone else
Pouring liquids can be dangerous
May befrightened by carpets and floors
May misjude the edge of the table or bathroom furniture unless distinct/ contrasting colours.
Feelings Remain When Fact Remain
Exit strategy
Absent people
No need to lie
Leave with a smile
When Agitated
Simplify/cal the enviroment
Don't ask questions or overwhelm with words
Reassure show what to do, make a cup of tea
Too many people-take to a quieter place
Engage in a familuar activity, music, a walk
Music/Pet/Lavender/Hand Massage/Gentle Touch
See it From Their Perspective
Children have to learn social skills
In dementia lose social inhibitions
Incontinence may be forgotten tp go
Shredding tissues just like toddlers.
Steps, feels as if falling,visual barriers
Loss of dignity;try elastic waist, tube socks, reversible T shirts, no buttons.
Situations That Can Precipitate Agitation Or Confusion
Un familiar People/Places
Large Gatherings
A Task that is too complicated
Noise Lights
Travel
Too much choice/too many tasks
Illness or Tiredness
Challenging Behaviour
Aggression often due to frusation or misinterpretation of events, reflections in windows or mirrors always a reason
Unwillingness to cooperate may be due to FEAR eg Showers may not have been used in their childhood;say Your Turn. Help me, bathe is ready, shame to waste it
Hide or remove inapprosprite items limit choices, one instruction at a time.
Carers
We feel sad, discouraged, overwhelmed, alone, resentful. angry, embrassed,trapped, frightened, bewildered
Greive for what was or even what never was
Carers need regular breaks
Become exhaused/depressed/deny such/hide it well
Folks often improve when they go into care homes.
Carers feel guilty
Jennifer is now talking to GP to help them understand more about Dementia.
She spoke to us about the Japanese brain Stimuation and how it helps. She is taking classes in the Dementia village where she lives. All to do with the 3 R's. Many had improved.
I hope I have given you some food for thought. It certains helps me to understand more of what my mum does and says sometimes.
You can always google her web site. I often have a look just to remind me.
Love Sonia xxxx
We had Dr Jennifer Bute come to our Carers meeting yesterday. She suffers with Dementia herself. I have mentioned her before.
Each time she comes I we learn something differant about how to handle this horrible disease as Carers. I gain more of an understanding of the illness after her chat.
I would like to share.
Dementia
Always a reason
Feelings remain
Patterns continue
There is always a reason
Meaning of words may be disconnected from their sounds;may not understand or may produce a word salad and not realise.
Talking about something familiar may enable them to join in .Singing remains.
Wandering may feel lost,responding to an hallucation or looking for a purpose
Questions
What is the time? Might mean
I have no idea what I am meant to be doing.
Can I go home? Often means I don't feel comfortable here.
When is X coming? P erhaps meansI am feeling lost and alone
Listen to the meaning behind the question and reassure.
More than a Memeory
Reduced attention span, ability to do things, understand or communicate increased agitation confusion
Caused by amyloid plaques tangles(rungs in the communication ladders)
Muscles die if not used so do neurones
Reading Writing and Arithmetic 3 R remain
Hallucations Time Travel
May think it is 1960
X not born
Y not married
Z still alive
Sundowning
Childhood patterns
She mentioned the film The Iron Lady would show this kind of thing.
Visual Spatial Muddle
Loss of blue,purple green colours
Strange lighting patterns
Might not recognise self in a mirror and think its someone else
Pouring liquids can be dangerous
May befrightened by carpets and floors
May misjude the edge of the table or bathroom furniture unless distinct/ contrasting colours.
Feelings Remain When Fact Remain
Exit strategy
Absent people
No need to lie
Leave with a smile
When Agitated
Simplify/cal the enviroment
Don't ask questions or overwhelm with words
Reassure show what to do, make a cup of tea
Too many people-take to a quieter place
Engage in a familuar activity, music, a walk
Music/Pet/Lavender/Hand Massage/Gentle Touch
See it From Their Perspective
Children have to learn social skills
In dementia lose social inhibitions
Incontinence may be forgotten tp go
Shredding tissues just like toddlers.
Steps, feels as if falling,visual barriers
Loss of dignity;try elastic waist, tube socks, reversible T shirts, no buttons.
Situations That Can Precipitate Agitation Or Confusion
Un familiar People/Places
Large Gatherings
A Task that is too complicated
Noise Lights
Travel
Too much choice/too many tasks
Illness or Tiredness
Challenging Behaviour
Aggression often due to frusation or misinterpretation of events, reflections in windows or mirrors always a reason
Unwillingness to cooperate may be due to FEAR eg Showers may not have been used in their childhood;say Your Turn. Help me, bathe is ready, shame to waste it
Hide or remove inapprosprite items limit choices, one instruction at a time.
Carers
We feel sad, discouraged, overwhelmed, alone, resentful. angry, embrassed,trapped, frightened, bewildered
Greive for what was or even what never was
Carers need regular breaks
Become exhaused/depressed/deny such/hide it well
Folks often improve when they go into care homes.
Carers feel guilty
Jennifer is now talking to GP to help them understand more about Dementia.
She spoke to us about the Japanese brain Stimuation and how it helps. She is taking classes in the Dementia village where she lives. All to do with the 3 R's. Many had improved.
I hope I have given you some food for thought. It certains helps me to understand more of what my mum does and says sometimes.
You can always google her web site. I often have a look just to remind me.
Love Sonia xxxx
I know just what she means
