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Dementia

Dementia. New Hire Orientation Maria Freidlund, Administrator. Dementia. What it is; What it isn’t The brain Strategies for employees Practice. Dementia. What it is; what it isn’t. Dementia. Umbrella term describes multiple conditions

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Dementia

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  1. Dementia New Hire Orientation Maria Freidlund, Administrator

  2. Dementia • What it is; What it isn’t • The brain • Strategies for employees • Practice

  3. Dementia What it is; what it isn’t

  4. Dementia Umbrella term • describes multiple conditions • characterized by the gradual loss of intellectual functioning

  5. Dementia Umbrella term covers: • Alzheimer's • Vascular • Lewy bodies • Frontal Temporal • Parkinson’s • Huntington’s

  6. Dementia Different from “Age Associate Memory Impairment” • Starts in late 20’s • Increases as you age • Around age 40 you fall off a cliff! Age Associate Memory Impairment happens to everyone.

  7. Dementia Text Book Definition: 1. Memory impairment, AND 2. One or more of the following cognitive difficulties: • Language difficulties (aphasia) • Impaired ability to conduct motor activities • Failure to recognize or identify objects • Disturbances in intellectual functioning

  8. Dementia • Dementia in itself is NOT a disease DISEASE

  9. Dementia • Dementia is a term for a cluster of symptoms Faulty reasoning Difficulty remembering Impaired judgment Loss of communication skills Failure to identify objects Difficulty recognizing Short term memory loss Impaired motor activity Loss of abstract thinking Disorientation to time/place

  10. Dementia The Brain

  11. The Brain: Parts of the Brain Judgment & Behavior Memory Language Understanding (how to understand spoken language AND how to speak)

  12. The Brain: Healthy vs Dementia

  13. The Brain: the Hippocampus “Memory Glue Guy”

  14. “Memory Glue Guy” Filters through information Determines what to keep that is important Determines what is temporary (not so important) The Brain: the Hippocampus

  15. Procedural memories Deeply stored long-term memory Automatic responses Social rituals The Brain: What Remains? <<flinch>>

  16. Dementia Strategies for employees

  17. Strategies for Employees • Every impression is a first impression • Carefully monitor yourself • exaggerate facial expressions (big smile) • body language (warmth) • make eye contact • tone of voice (calm) • Remain below eye level

  18. Strategies for Employees • Approach gently from the front • let them see you approach • never “sneak up” or startle • Offer physical contact • a handshake • hand over hand • a hug or kiss

  19. Communication Strategies • Use good vocal quality – Low and slow, loud and clear • Low pitch • Slow speech • Slightly louder • Very clear enunciation

  20. Communication Strategies • Simple words • Use the 7&7 rule • Speak 7 words or less • Allow 7 seconds for them to respond • Concrete language - no jargon, no baby talk (“It’s time for bed”, not “Let’s go beddy-bye”) • Use words the person has used in their lifetime

  21. Communication Strategies • Fill in the gaps • If struggling for a word, suggest one • Prevent embarrassment when language or memory fails (they try to cover it up!) • Use positive wording - not negative • Not: Don’t grab someone else’s wheelchair • Instead: Let’s go further ahead so you can grab the railing.

  22. Strategies for Employees Resident Choice and Dementia • Use statements instead of questions • Re-approach, don’t force • Example: It’s dinner time so you tell Joe Dementia, “It’s dinner time. (pause) Let’s go to the dining room.” If Joe refuses, walk away, re-approach.

  23. Strategies for Employees DON’Ts • Ban this Phrase: “DON’T YOU REMEMBER?” • Don’t you remember me? • Don’t you remember, it’s time to eat? • Quizzing residents about recent events • Don’t you remember your family was just here?

  24. Practice • Pair up with another person • Tell them your plans for the evening • Non-verbal skills for cueing - Pointing, Placing, Hand-over Hand • Low and slow, loud and clear • 7 simple words, wait 7 seconds • Can ask a question (“Do you like…” not “Do you remember…”)

  25. Dementia Review

  26. Dementia Review • What is Dementia? • An umbrella term • A cluster of symptoms • Not a disease in itself • What Happens in the Brain • Gradual erosion • Hippocampus - “Memory Glue Guy” starts to let memories go

  27. Dementia Review • Communication Strategies • Positive non-verbal cues • Choose simple words • Speak 7 words; wait 7 seconds • Low and slow, loud and clear • Remember

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