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

2. ©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

3. 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

4. ©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

5. ©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

6. 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

7. ©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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. ©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

14. 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

15. 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

16. ©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

17. ©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia
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©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia
©2008 CareTrack Resources: Caring for Clients with Dementia