As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Day on the 21st of September, Adore Care Homes are joining the national effort to increase understanding and provide support to those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Quality Director Maria Ferrier has recently visited Weavers Court Care Home in Yeadon to give talks to staff, residents, and families in an effort to support them to understand people living with the illness.
Maria has spent her career working with people living with all forms of dementia and has seen attitudes and approaches to dementia care change throughout the decades, but still believes that it can be much better.
On her role, Maria says, “I support care teams to understand people with dementia better and I feel that families sometimes do not know why their loved one has changed and it’s about working together to give their loved one the best life and supporting the families to learn to remember their loved one how they were before dementia and learn to love the person they are now.”
5 Tips to Support Someone Living with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia in the elderly, accounting for between 50% and 60% of cases, according to The World Health Organization (WHO). Maria has offered the following tips for how to care for someone living with Alzheimer’s:
1. Stay Calm
Recognise that the person living with dementia may be experiencing distress and may be unable to resolve the situation on their own. A calm demeanour can help de-escalate any anxiety or confusion they may be feeling.
2. Respect Personal Space
It’s essential to respect their personal space, as crowding or overwhelming them can increase their distress.
3. Reassure
Offering reassurance can be incredibly comforting. A gentle touch or calm words can help to soothe an agitated mind.
4. Encourage Communication
Encourage the individual to talk or communicate in any way they can. Whether through words, gestures, or other means, facilitating communication can help them express their needs or emotions.
5. Listen and Accept
It’s important to listen carefully and accept what the person is saying, even if it doesn’t make complete sense. Often, there’s a deeper meaning behind their words or actions that needs to be understood.
5. Consider Other Factors
Always consider other potential reasons for the person’s behaviour. Physical discomfort, environmental changes, or unmet needs could be contributing to their distress.
