Dementia Care

Although many people use dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) interchangeably, there is an important distinction. Dementia is simply the general term used to describe the signs and symptoms of more than 100 conditions that can affect a person’s memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s Disease is only one of these. Others include:

• Dementia due to Lewy Body Disease or Vascular problems
• Dementia related to Alcohol abuse
• Dementia from Fronto-temporal Lobe Degeneration

While it’s helpful recognise signs of dementia, such as increased forgetfulness or changes in the person’s usual disposition or behaviour, it’s especially important to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of the disease.

Our clients are people living with dementia, care workers, health professionals and family carers who are supporting a person with dementia experiencing behaviours and psychological changes that are impacting their care.

To receive CRT Program services the person requiring support must have:

• A diagnosis of dementia, or suspected of having dementia
• Experiencing behaviours that are impacting their care or the way care is provided as a result of their dementia
• Consent from the person with dementia or their nominated person responsible for their care

Dementia is often referred to being in early, moderate or advanced stages. These stages are just labels and every individual is different and every family’s experience of dementia is different. It can help to know the terms that other people use, especially health workers, and to be familiar with what they mean

In the Early stages of dementia, independent living with caring family support is possible. The help a person with dementia needs in this early stage is often practical in nature; e.g. reminders about doctor or dental appointments and keeping them in contact with friends and other social activities. Keeping the person’s memory stimulated is important and going to Dementia Cafes, family gatherings or other community activities can help to do this.

In the Moderate stage, extra family support, as well as support from outside services is usually needed. This stage is usually the longest and forgetfulness becomes more of a problem. You may see the person start to struggle with:

• dressing themselves;
• remembering to turn off the oven or lock doors and;
• recalling the names of newer family members like grandchildren.
• They may also start to act in unsafe ways such as wandering. You might also see a change in their personality or mood which is not like “their usual self”. For example, becoming more talkative when they used to be reserved or vice versa. It may be helpful to try out ways to make up for their failing memory:
  • buying easy clothes to put on (such as elastic waists or no buttons or zips);
  • using photo books to talk with them about people and places they do recall;
  • encouraging the person to do soothing activities such as art, music or gardening.
  • This may help to reduce their frustration as well as yours and improve their quality of life.
  • When trying new ways to help the person, staying calm and using simple language can make things easier. This can be very difficult, though, especially when talking about keeping them safe. As a Carer it will become increasingly important to maintain your own health and wellbeing Using respite to take a break is a good way to start this.
  • In Advanced stages of Dementia, the person will need a lot of support. This stage of dementia can be very confronting for Carers and other family members in both practical and emotional ways. The person may develop swallowing problems, have little appetite, become incontinent, and have trouble walking. In seeing these changes, it is normal to feel sad and to grieve for the person as they used to be.

  Eventually, constant supervision will be needed and you might need to consider moving the person you care for into a residential aged care facility (nursing home) to receive 24 hour care. While your caring role will change in this situation, you can still be involved in their physical care. This could be by helping nursing staff with personal care such as washing their hair or bruising their teeth. As you know the person best, let nursing staff know if you think they are in pain and may need medication adjusted.