Dementia

• An umbrella term to describe symptoms caused by 100 different progressive diseases. The most common types of Dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Fronto-temporal Dementias..

• Common to all are changes in communication, difficulties processing information and a reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living.
• It is not a normal part of ageing and can affect people of any age.

Challenges for a person living with dementia

• Disorientation in new places.
• Communication difficulties.
• Unrecognised pain.
• Physical deterioration.
• Distress and fear.

Supporting someone with dementia

• Be person-centred, get to know the person and find out what matters to them.
• Ensure you know how the person communicates.
• Work in partnership with family and carers.
• Always orientate the person to where they are.
• Regularly assess pain using a dementia pain tool (eg, Bolton Pain Assessment/PAINAD).
• Support physical needs and encourage independence.
• Remember, most distressed behaviour is caused by unmet needs - look for the reason if a person is distressed.