Session 7.
Person-Centred Dementia Care Plan.
Signs and Stages of Dementia.
Welcome back.
I trust you enjoyed making a start on creating a safe,
Comforting space for the person living with dementia in your care.
The term dementia refers to a group of brain disorders causing a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory,
Reasoning and problem-solving,
Affecting daily life.
It's an umbrella term,
Not a single disease.
Alzheimer's is the most common type but others include vascular dementia,
Lewy body's dementia or a combination of diseases.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
Major neurocognitive disorder or MND describes a significant decline in areas like memory,
Language,
Attention or social cognition.
Currently there's no cure for dementia so recognising signs of its stages is important.
Let's break it down into three phases,
Early,
Middle and late stage dementia.
Today we'll focus on early stage dementia with helpful hints for care partners.
Later sessions will cover the middle and late stages.
Coping strategies are essential at every phase for carers and loved ones.
Our final session will recap key areas from this course.
Just on a personal note I've saved the stages discussion for now because some symptoms can be confronting.
Please just take your time with this content and pause whenever you need to.
Okay so let's get started.
Early stage.
Individuals may notice mild memory loss or difficulty planning.
Symptoms can include disorientation,
Memory loss,
Challenges with planning,
Problem-solving or finding the right words.
Duration often lasts around two years.
Strategy.
Maximise independence by focusing on strengths.
So for care partners your role is vital.
Offer support and companionship.
Help plan ahead,
Make decisions together about legal,
Financial and care arrangements.
And the person with dementia can use available treatments and join clinical trials.
Both of you can access local support services which can ease anxiety and improve outcomes,
Especially if you do it together.
Some tips and tools.
Safety first.
Avoid stress.
Make positive assumptions that you'll be able to work together.
Create help signals around the house or property that the person living with dementia is in.
Communicate openly and honestly and work as a team.
These are just some ideas to start with.
So before we finish today's session let's take a brief moment to ground ourselves.
Find a comfortable position and take a few deep breaths.
If your mind feels crowdy just gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Repeat any soothing self-care words or phrases.
I think it's important to acknowledge the challenges of caregiving because they're real and you're doing the best you can.
Now think of the person in your care.
Send compassionate thoughts to both of you.
May you be well,
Free from suffering and live with ease.
Notice something you appreciate in your life and allow gratitude to fill you up.
When you're ready bring your awareness back to the room and take a few more calming breaths before continuing.
Okay,
Thanks again for listening.
I'll see you in session 8 where we'll explore the middle stage of dementia and offer more strategies to support you and your loved one or the person in your care.
