Caring for Clients with Dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Objectives State the definition and symptoms of dementia. Describe some good ways to respond to difficult behavior. Explain the importance of trying to understand what a client with dementia is thinking and feeling. Discuss the difficulties faced by someone with dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Understanding Dementia Dementia is an organic* mental disorder involving a general loss of intellectual abilities and changes in the personality. * “Organic” means the disorder is caused by physical changes in the brain. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Common Causes Alzheimer’s disease Strokes and other blood vessel diseases Parkinson’s and other nervous system diseases Miscellaneous causes Alcoholism Malnutrition Head injuries Drug reactions Thyroid disease Brain tumors Infections ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Things to Remember Adult dementia sufferers deserve the respect and status they have earned. Often do not know abilities have changed Do not understand why people treat them differently Must be given as many opportunities as possible to make decisions With the right environment and support, a client’s ability to function can be strengthened and improved. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Things to Remember (cont.) Deficiencies affect all areas of client’s life Way a client behaves not just the result of impaired brain functions Behavior often caused by efforts to meet needs while compensating for lost abilities Can help clients by trying to understand what they feel and think Dementia is like looking at the world, and being seen by others, through a funhouse mirror. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Results of Dementia Memory Loss Affects recent memories the most Makes it difficult to learn anything new or to follow instructions Ways to Help Teach by repeating procedure in exactly the same way Provide opportunities for clients to perform skills Folding clothes Raking Sweeping Sanding wood Stuffing envelopes Playing piano ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Results of Dementia (cont.) Language Loss Makes it difficult to recognize words and understand complex sentences Makes if difficult to express ideas Ways to Help Our job to understand and be understood by the client Ask direct, closed questions, not open-ended ones ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Results of Dementia (cont.) Attention Loss Unable to start or stop a task Easily distracted Ways to Help Remember clients hear what we say even if they don’t seem to be listening Minimize distractions. Turn off television or radio and close door when you need client to concentrate ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Results of Dementia (cont.) Judgment Loss Cannot accurately assess circumstances Unable to see consequences of actions Ways to Help Provide strong visual cues Silverware on a white tablecloth might be difficult to see; use a colored cloth ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Results of Dementia (cont.) Loss of Perception or Senses Unable to recognize things or people Misinterpret what they see, hear, or feel Ways to help Respect individual’s right to make own decisions as you gently guide him through each step of a decision ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Results of Dementia (cont.) Loss of Muscle Organization Unable to perform multiple step tasks Require prompts or cues for routine tasks Ways to help Start activity at beginning and see if muscle memory will take over Explain each step in simple language Demonstrate each step Move client through steps of the task If distracted, begin again at beginning Remember to be patient and unhurried! ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Communication Tips Be open, friendly, and gentle Address client by name to get his/her attention at beginning of an interaction Give full attention to the conversation or task Helps client stay focused Briefly introduce yourself and offer cues ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Communication Tips (cont.) Speak slowly, but do not speak down Use gentle touching or hand holding Get permission first Avoid arguing and attempts to reason with client who is upset Acknowledge feelings and calmly distract with something calming, pleasant, and friendly ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

Communication Tips (cont.) Sometimes people become upset when others use hand gestures when talking When dealing with agitated client, might be best to keep your hands still A soft tone might get more attention than a loud voice Depends on client ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia Please Complete Test and Evaluation. Thank You. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia

©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia ©CareTrack Resources, Inc, 2008. All Rights Reserved. May Not Be Used or Reproduced Without Permission. Contact 1-888-424-7003 for Assistance. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia