I posted a thread a while ago in the music appreciation social group. Some people have added comments suggesting that the discussion might be better taking place in the main forum.
I believe some of what I have to say might be pertinent to people like myself who are employed working with people with dementia.
I talked about running a musical appreciation group in my day centre, and the very positiive affect on one particular client of regular exposure to music that she enjoyed, palpably so.
It actually became very emotive and the client bonded quite strongly with me. I'm the only male worker there, and other clients with whom I've bonded strongly have all been men.
I've worked in the care industry for years, and would go so far as say that this lady has made a deeper impression on me than any client I've ever worked with. She's actually made me think in terms of seeing past the dementia, seeing a rounded personality. I've come to believe that people with dementia, certainly in its earlier stages, are fighting to hold on to hold to their identity, to be the person they are rather than a person with dementia. This particular person shows a gift for life and the enjoyment thereof that I find uplifting, and which moves me close to wanting to cry at times.
At work I need to maintain professionalism, and don't want to be seen to be over involved with any one client. So I feel as if Im making a big step by putting these thoughts into the public domain.
I dont normally miss clients when they're not around the workplace, but I found myself feeling this person's absence when they went away into respite care recently.
Does anyone have any thoughts on any of the above that they'd like to share?
I believe some of what I have to say might be pertinent to people like myself who are employed working with people with dementia.
I talked about running a musical appreciation group in my day centre, and the very positiive affect on one particular client of regular exposure to music that she enjoyed, palpably so.
It actually became very emotive and the client bonded quite strongly with me. I'm the only male worker there, and other clients with whom I've bonded strongly have all been men.
I've worked in the care industry for years, and would go so far as say that this lady has made a deeper impression on me than any client I've ever worked with. She's actually made me think in terms of seeing past the dementia, seeing a rounded personality. I've come to believe that people with dementia, certainly in its earlier stages, are fighting to hold on to hold to their identity, to be the person they are rather than a person with dementia. This particular person shows a gift for life and the enjoyment thereof that I find uplifting, and which moves me close to wanting to cry at times.
At work I need to maintain professionalism, and don't want to be seen to be over involved with any one client. So I feel as if Im making a big step by putting these thoughts into the public domain.
I dont normally miss clients when they're not around the workplace, but I found myself feeling this person's absence when they went away into respite care recently.
Does anyone have any thoughts on any of the above that they'd like to share?