Session 5,
Person-Centred Dementia Care Plan.
Back to basics.
Hello,
Welcome back.
We're halfway through this 10-part Person-Centred Dementia Care series.
Thank you for sticking with the program despite the challenges you and the person in your care face every day.
Session 5 is a chance to consolidate the strategies from previous modules and revisit anything you may have skimmed over.
Give yourself a day just to reflect on how these ideas might help moving forward.
You deserve some credit for showing up and being open to creating more moments of joy for the person living with dementia.
So far the meditations have been really short and manageable and in future sessions you'll have opportunities to meditate for a slightly longer period.
Another option is to pause the track,
Set a timer and simply sit in silence before returning to the session.
This is optional as are all the strategies offered.
Use the tools that resonate with you and remember it's not necessary to do them all.
Trust your instincts and watch for physical and verbal cues from the person in your care.
If a technique works to ease stress,
Take note of why and how to use it again.
Before we begin,
Take a moment to remember one strategy from this course so far that has positively impacted your dementia care plan.
Hold that thought as we move forward together.
So let's begin with a slightly longer practice where I will repeat some simple steps in dementia care to remind everyone why we're here.
Take a calming breath and position yourself somewhere quiet just for a moment.
Close your eyes if that's comfortable or focus on the sounds around you and the things you can see if this feels easier.
It's all about coming back to the present,
This moment,
This breath.
The following list can be used as a mantra of sorts and is a simple list of top 10 things to do or say in compassionate dementia care.
Say,
You're safe here.
Why it matters.
People with dementia often feel confused or anxious.
Reassurance can ease fear and build trust.
Repeat the phrase,
You're safe here.
Do maintain eye contact and smile warmly.
Non-verbal cues communicate safety,
Kindness and presence,
Particularly when words become harder to process.
Remind yourself to maintain eye contact and have a warm expression on your face.
Say,
Would you like some help with that?
Rather than,
Let me do that.
Why it matters.
Offering help while preserving the independence of the person in your care respects their autonomy.
Do enter their reality.
Why it matters.
Arguing or correcting thinking errors causes distress.
Meeting them where they are is compassionate.
Go with the flow.
If the person living with dementia thinks it's 1954,
Go with it.
Often this causes no harm or distress.
However,
Some situations require a different approach.
For example,
If a mother thinks a son is her late husband,
Instead of going along completely with their reality,
Focus on how much they love their husband.
Ask them to tell you a story or simply express how heartwarming it is that they love so fully.
Say,
Tell me more about that.
Why it matters.
Encouraging storytelling fosters connection and keeps the brain active.
It validates their experience even if it's not rooted in present day reality.
You may also learn something from their past that can help in calming agitation.
For example,
If you learn they were raised in the country,
You could ask them about milking a cow next time you chat.
Do use gentle touch if appropriate.
Why it matters.
Holding a hand or gently touching a shoulder when the person is upset can be grounding and comforting.
If receptive,
Soothing touch shows you care and that you want to help.
It's especially helpful when language fails.
Say you're doing great today.
Why it matters.
Encouragement boosts confidence and self-esteem,
Which dementia erodes.
For example,
If they help set the table but place forks incorrectly,
Thanking and affirming their effort helps them feel valued.
Remember,
The home they're in may have been theirs for many years before dementia.
Do play familiar music or engage in meaningful activities.
Why it matters.
Hobbies tap into long-term memories and offer joy and purpose.
If writing letters is difficult,
They can dictate while you write and later help sign.
Say I love spending time with you.
Why it matters.
Even if they don't remember who you are,
Expressing your affection in the present moment builds harmony.
My late mum would say,
You love me so much,
You could be my very good friend.
Memories may fade,
But emotions linger.
Do be patient and slow down.
Why it matters.
People living with dementia need more time to express themselves.
Avoid answering for them.
Waiting quietly allows them to relax and respond in their own time.
Rushing can overwhelm or confuse,
While patience shows compassion.
So let's take a calming breath to end this session.
Enjoy the rest of your consolidation day and let this top 10 list of compassionate care ideas sink in.
Thanks so much for listening and I'll see you in the next session.
