As a person's dementia develops, it is likely to have an impact on some of their abilities but there will still be lots that the person can enjoy doing. Maintaining existing skills, as far as possible, can give the person pleasure and boost their confidence.
The Alzheimer’s Society gives the following advice;
Keeping occupied and stimulated can improve quality of life for the person with dementia as well as those around them.
Facts
• Remaining physically and mentally active can have a significant impact on a person's well-being
• Carrying out simple everyday tasks can help the person feel better about themselves.
• Some types of activity can help the person to express their feelings − for example listening to music, doing a sketch or writing something down.
• Boredom and frustration are the two most common causes of challenging behaviour in people with dementia.
• Sharing an activity that both parties enjoy may bring them closer together, and help them find new ways to relate to each other.
Exercise
• Exercising together will be beneficial to the person with dementia and anyone accompanying them. Exercise burns up the adrenalin produced by stress and frustration, and produces endorphins, which can promote feelings of happiness
Reminders of the past
• People with dementia can often remember the distant past more easily than recent events. If you can find a way to help trigger the more distant, pleasant memories, the person may become more animated and interested
• Dementia damages the memory and the thinking and reasoning parts of the brain, but the emotions still remain intact. It is not necessarily a bad thing if the person becomes emotional, but if they do make sure you allow them to express their feelings, and acknowledge them.
• Avoid asking very specific questions that require factual responses and could put the person on the spot − the main aim is to enjoy the memories rather than to make the person feel tested in any way.
Activities during the early stages of dementia
Someone in the early stages of dementia may probably want to continue doing the things they have always done. People with dementia retain memory for some activities, depending upon which part of the brain has been damaged.
Activities such as reading, typing or playing the piano are not always affected.
If you are close to someone with early dementia, be aware of the danger of taking over jobs and tasks too quickly in an attempt to minimise your own stress
Involving others
Consider inviting other people (including paid workers, family members or volunteers) to spend time with the person to do something they both enjoy − for example, going for a walk or playing a game of cards
Activity ideas
• Craft activities − These might include simple craft activities, such as creating collages from magazines, or knitting. Someone who has been a skilful knitter may still be able to knit squares for a blanket.
• Puzzles − Someone who has enjoyed doing crosswords may still enjoy a puzzle book.
• Doing things together − The person may like to play cards or board games, or do some gardening or baking together.
• Activities around the home − Men and women alike can enjoy helping with washing and drying up, setting the table or making beds. Again, the end result may not be perfect, but it can give an important sense of achievement. The person might be surprisingly interested in odd jobs, such as sorting through a drawer or a toolbox.
• Music − Even when other abilities are severely affected, many people still enjoy singing, dancing and listening to music.
• TV and radio − Many people with dementia enjoy listening to the radio. Television, however, can cause problems. Some people with dementia lose the ability to tell the difference between what is real and what is on screen, and can become distressed. They can also become confused by too much noise.
• Communal activities − If the person has a connection with an organisation within the local community, whether it is a church, a pub or a club, then continuing to visit this place might be very important
Activities during the later stages of dementia
As a person's dementia advances, they will still be able to carry out some tasks that are very familiar to them, but will probably be more interested in the process of doing the activity than in the end result. If this is the case with someone close to you, look for 'magic moments' throughout the day rather than trying to carry out sustained activities.
Sensory stimulation
During the later stages of their dementia, people often develop severe difficulties with reasoning and language, but they will still have their sense of taste, touch and smell. There are various things you can do to stimulate these senses − for example:
• Encourage the person to touch or stroke pieces of fabric, dolls or cuddly toys.
• Try giving the person a hand massage, using a scented oil such as lavender. This can be very soothing for those who enjoy touch.
• Continue to take the time to sit and talk to the person or to read out loud.
• Enable the person to see a fish tank, mobile or a window with a nice view.
• Make sure the person has a regular change of scene and the stimulation of the fresh air and the outdoor environment.
Specially selected gifts for people with dementia.
Showing posts with label alzheimer's dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alzheimer's dementia. Show all posts
Friday, 12 March 2010
Monday, 2 November 2009
Checklist: what to take when you move into a care home.
The first thing you need to know is that everything needs to be labelled - absolutely everything. Losing clothes or somebody else wearing your relatives clothes can be a big problem.
-Underwear.
Most care homes suggest you take in enough underwear for several weeks, bear in mind space will be limited. A word about tights, they are difficult to get on and off if you are a little unsteady on your feet, consider pop socks.
-Everyday clothing.
Again think about how much space is available, the type of clothes your relative would normally wear and feel comfortable in and the general style of the other residents. Being over or under dressed can be embarrassing and make it difficult to fit in.
Care homes tend to be warm for us, but chilly if you are sitting for long periods, consider layers of various thicknesses - cardigans are always useful and easy to get on and off, enabling your relative to do dress without having to ask for help.
-Accessories.
Shoes should be comfortable as they are likely to be worn most of the time when your relative is not in their room. Outdoor shoes and boots are unlikely to be used and take up a lot of space - perhaps store them on your relatives behalf. Other accessories, for example scarves should also be considered if they tend to form part of your relatives usual dressing habits.
- Jewellery.
Precious items for your relative should be taken into the home. However, valuable items may need to be considered separately. Have a word with the Matron or Manager and see what their policy is.
-Toiletries.
Clearly this is a personal issue, but you will need to take in all of the normal day to day toiletries. It is probably worth having a look in your relatives bathroom to make sure you know what brands they like - when you have been using Colgate toothpaste all of your life it's a bit much to be asked to switch to Macleans! It is also likely that you will be buying replacement toiletries, so it's quite useful to know what the brands are.
Keep an eye on how much space there is for potions and lotions and consider a wash bag that you can hang next to the sink with everything in it.
-Towels and Robes.
If you want your relative to use their own towels then its time to sew on more labels. Dressing gowns and slippers are a must.
-Furniture.
How big the room is will be the governing factor here. Familiar items of furniture, tables, favourite chairs and cushions and paintings are all really important and will help your relative to feel at home. Do not underestimate the importance of photos as their link with the past and the present reinforce who we are and our sense of identity.
-Television.
If space permits and I hope it does, then a TV in your room can be a godsend - you will need a TV licence though, this can be transferred from the old house, but don't forget to keep an eye on when it runs out.
-Radio.
A radio or music centre might be important to your relative, particularly if they have failing eyesight. Ask how they would normally spend their evenings and try to recreate that.
-Clock.
Knowing when somebody is going to call or it is time to go to lunch can be worrying if you don't know what the time is. Make sure the clock is large enough to tell the time - particularly if the numerals on a wrist watch are too small.
-Telephone.
Keeping in touch without having to go via the Managers office can be important. Mobile phones are often either too small or too technological to be of use. Sometimes there is a telephone point in the room in which case you can use a land line. However, there is a new phone that has been developed that takes a sim card, looks like a normal phone, doesn't need any wiring and most importantly, if the handset isn't replaced it recognises that nobody is talking and hangs up for you - enabling the next call to get through, it's new so email me at debbie.harris@best-care-home.co.uk if you would like more information.
-Books.
Check your relatives bedside table for any current books they are reading and do bear in mind that books are like old friends, there may be others that they would wish to take - however many times they have read them. Don't forget newspapers.
-Calendar.
Keeping track of time and marking birthdays and special events on a calendar, along with perhaps a supply of cards and stamps might be useful. Ask the Manager or Matron what the postal arrangements are.
-Phone numbers.
Don't forget the address book with all of the telephone numbers of friends.
-Paperwork.
Decide where the paperwork will be kept, either with your relative in a secure cupboard or depending upon their level of awareness with a relative.
Look around your relatives home - in particular the places where they spend a lot of time; their favourite chair, in bed, on the porch - what items surround them, it is these that are most likely to be missed. Try and take as many into their new home as your can.
I welcome any suggestions that will improve this checklist.
-Underwear.
Most care homes suggest you take in enough underwear for several weeks, bear in mind space will be limited. A word about tights, they are difficult to get on and off if you are a little unsteady on your feet, consider pop socks.
-Everyday clothing.
Again think about how much space is available, the type of clothes your relative would normally wear and feel comfortable in and the general style of the other residents. Being over or under dressed can be embarrassing and make it difficult to fit in.
Care homes tend to be warm for us, but chilly if you are sitting for long periods, consider layers of various thicknesses - cardigans are always useful and easy to get on and off, enabling your relative to do dress without having to ask for help.
-Accessories.
Shoes should be comfortable as they are likely to be worn most of the time when your relative is not in their room. Outdoor shoes and boots are unlikely to be used and take up a lot of space - perhaps store them on your relatives behalf. Other accessories, for example scarves should also be considered if they tend to form part of your relatives usual dressing habits.
- Jewellery.
Precious items for your relative should be taken into the home. However, valuable items may need to be considered separately. Have a word with the Matron or Manager and see what their policy is.
-Toiletries.
Clearly this is a personal issue, but you will need to take in all of the normal day to day toiletries. It is probably worth having a look in your relatives bathroom to make sure you know what brands they like - when you have been using Colgate toothpaste all of your life it's a bit much to be asked to switch to Macleans! It is also likely that you will be buying replacement toiletries, so it's quite useful to know what the brands are.
Keep an eye on how much space there is for potions and lotions and consider a wash bag that you can hang next to the sink with everything in it.
-Towels and Robes.
If you want your relative to use their own towels then its time to sew on more labels. Dressing gowns and slippers are a must.
-Furniture.
How big the room is will be the governing factor here. Familiar items of furniture, tables, favourite chairs and cushions and paintings are all really important and will help your relative to feel at home. Do not underestimate the importance of photos as their link with the past and the present reinforce who we are and our sense of identity.
-Television.
If space permits and I hope it does, then a TV in your room can be a godsend - you will need a TV licence though, this can be transferred from the old house, but don't forget to keep an eye on when it runs out.
-Radio.
A radio or music centre might be important to your relative, particularly if they have failing eyesight. Ask how they would normally spend their evenings and try to recreate that.
-Clock.
Knowing when somebody is going to call or it is time to go to lunch can be worrying if you don't know what the time is. Make sure the clock is large enough to tell the time - particularly if the numerals on a wrist watch are too small.
-Telephone.
Keeping in touch without having to go via the Managers office can be important. Mobile phones are often either too small or too technological to be of use. Sometimes there is a telephone point in the room in which case you can use a land line. However, there is a new phone that has been developed that takes a sim card, looks like a normal phone, doesn't need any wiring and most importantly, if the handset isn't replaced it recognises that nobody is talking and hangs up for you - enabling the next call to get through, it's new so email me at debbie.harris@best-care-home.co.uk if you would like more information.
-Books.
Check your relatives bedside table for any current books they are reading and do bear in mind that books are like old friends, there may be others that they would wish to take - however many times they have read them. Don't forget newspapers.
-Calendar.
Keeping track of time and marking birthdays and special events on a calendar, along with perhaps a supply of cards and stamps might be useful. Ask the Manager or Matron what the postal arrangements are.
-Phone numbers.
Don't forget the address book with all of the telephone numbers of friends.
-Paperwork.
Decide where the paperwork will be kept, either with your relative in a secure cupboard or depending upon their level of awareness with a relative.
Look around your relatives home - in particular the places where they spend a lot of time; their favourite chair, in bed, on the porch - what items surround them, it is these that are most likely to be missed. Try and take as many into their new home as your can.
I welcome any suggestions that will improve this checklist.
Friday, 16 October 2009
Personal recommendations about care homes are rarer than hen's teeth and yet it seems to be that most people rely on the views of others when they choose a care home. I have even seen statistics that suggest one third of people only see one care home when making their choice - presumably through lack of information about the others.
If you don't have access to unbiased information it is easy to see how the first one you see could become the ultimate destination.
My ethos as I explained in my first blog, is that if you have a problem with an area of care try and find a solution. So I have set up www.best-care-home.co.uk. Initially I simply wanted to provide an online register of the best care homes, with a lot more information that simply a name, address and telephone number - so I encouraged lots of photos, links to CQC reports, videos (more of that later). Anything that will really give a prospective resident and their family a realistic and valuable insight into the home, before they visit it; and I made this free to the care home so that there were no barriers to providing information.
I also encouraged personal recommendations of the homes; and if I believed everything I read in the newspapers, I wasn't expecting to receive very many - how wrong could I be. I have received hundreds in a few months and they are moving and genuine and would really encourage me to visit that home.
So congratulations to the homes and the staff that have received these pesonal recommendations and thank you to the members of the public, residents, health visitors and everybody else that wanted to share their positive experiences with others.
If you don't have access to unbiased information it is easy to see how the first one you see could become the ultimate destination.
My ethos as I explained in my first blog, is that if you have a problem with an area of care try and find a solution. So I have set up www.best-care-home.co.uk. Initially I simply wanted to provide an online register of the best care homes, with a lot more information that simply a name, address and telephone number - so I encouraged lots of photos, links to CQC reports, videos (more of that later). Anything that will really give a prospective resident and their family a realistic and valuable insight into the home, before they visit it; and I made this free to the care home so that there were no barriers to providing information.
I also encouraged personal recommendations of the homes; and if I believed everything I read in the newspapers, I wasn't expecting to receive very many - how wrong could I be. I have received hundreds in a few months and they are moving and genuine and would really encourage me to visit that home.
So congratulations to the homes and the staff that have received these pesonal recommendations and thank you to the members of the public, residents, health visitors and everybody else that wanted to share their positive experiences with others.
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