To Support People with Dementia
To Support People with Dementia
Treat people with dementia, understanding their feelings
It is important to treat people with dementia, fully understanding that they are living with anxiety.
For instance, when a man with dementia repeatedly asks whether his meal is ready, forgetting that he has already eaten it, or repeatedly confirms when he will go out from well before the time he is schedule to do so, he may be trying to alleviate his anxiety caused by memory impairment.
In such case:
If you say in an angry tone, “Stop asking me the same question!”, this will increase his anxiety.
You are advised to listen carefully to what he says, understanding his feeling of unease, and respond to him, trying to calm his anxiety.
Provide support to people with dementia, focusing on what they can do, based on respect for their dignity
Even if people are already suffering the onset of dementia, this does not mean that they are unable to do everything that they used to be able to do. You are advised to provide casual support to them, focusing on what they can do, based on respect for their dignity.
For instance, even a woman who cooked for many years prior to the onset of dementia may become unable to make good preparations for cooking or pay careful attention to the handling of fire after becoming demented.
In such case:
It is not recommended to completely forbid her from cooking for safety reasons. You are advised to ask her to do what she can do, including cutting and mixing ingredients and dishing up food.
