Almost a million people in the UK live with dementia. Once you find yourself near one, maintaining communication is crucial. But what is the best way to care for and communicate with your loved one?
Now experts at a new state-of-the-art dementia-friendly care home are sharing their extensive research, based on years of consultation with a wide range of specialists.
They emphasize that each person is different and this has a big impact on what conversations and activities are best, as well as the extent to which dementia progresses.
Among the strategies used at KYN Bickley, a care home in Bromley, south London, is Michelin-starred chef Tristan Welch, who has created a menu that includes all kinds of nutritious ingredients, highly processed foods, limited edition and nostalgic treats.
Meanwhile, Honey Langcaster-James, a counseling psychologist who has appeared on reality TV, Love Island, Big Brother and Made in Chelseais working on a list of interesting questions to help people with dementia connect with others.
The tips are meant to be used as a guide, some of which can be adjusted through trial and error to see which ones work and which ones don’t.
As you say
Meaningful conversations are essential for people with dementia to combat loneliness and connect. However, a KYN survey of 2,000 UK adults in May found there was a “communication gap” between younger and older generations, meaning many never got to know their loved ones.
According to the results, only a third of people know where their older loved one grew up or what school they attended, and only a quarter knew what their hobbies were when they were young. The main reasons for breaking up were not knowing where to start (26 percent) and fear of upsetting them (24 percent).
Dr. Langcaster-James worked with KYN to develop 21 questions to promote communication.
“By asking people about themselves, where you spark genuine curiosity and interest in them, you can help strengthen their sense of identity, make them feel more connected and less lonely, and improve their mood.” them to remember and tell you about their fondest memories, as they often take them back to the happiest times of their lives,” says Dr. Langcaster James.
You can ask these questions in person or even in a letter, but the most important thing is that you show interest and give the other person a chance to open up to you.
1. What have you learned in your life that you can pass on to me? What do you think would be useful for me to know?
2. Tell me about your earliest memories.
3. Where were you born and raised and what was it like growing up there?
4. What was your childhood like in general and what is your most vivid memory of your youth?
5. How did you spend your time at school and what did you like most about school?
6. What hobbies and interests did you have and what did you like to do in your spare time when you were younger?
7. What do you think is the most surprising thing people don’t know about you?
8. What music or artist did you like as a child and why?
9. What was the most interesting job you’ve ever had?
10. Who have you loved all your life, how did you first meet them and what was your love story?
11. What is the most important historical moment you have experienced or witnessed and what do you think about it?
12. Which decade was your favorite and why?
13. Who have been your role models and influences in your life and why?
14. What is the most interesting place you have ever been and what do you think about this place?
15. What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in your life and what did you learn from it?
16. What achievement in life are you most proud of and why?
17. Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self?
18. What is the best book you have ever read and why?
19. What are the biggest changes you have experienced in your life?
20. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in your life and what makes you laugh?
21. What do you want in the future and how would you like to be remembered?
Deepen your connection
Before each resident moves into KEEN Bickley, they sit down with friends and family to write a book about their lives called “My Life, Past, Present and Future,” which includes photographs, concert tickets and other reminders of a happy past. . This gives the person a better idea of their personality and gives them the opportunity to return to a period of confusion, and this can expand over time.
Creating such a book at home can be a valuable experience and can be inspired by the conversations prompted by the questions above. Chapter titles may include family life; Youth; important places, relationships, memories or life events; Interests; Values and standards.
Meanwhile, musical memories often remain in the brain even when language and other memories fade. This means that people with dementia can retain the ability to dance and sing long after their ability to speak has deteriorated.
Spending time singing, playing the tambourine, and listening to children’s songs can help them bond with others. This leads to more social engagement, more eye contact, less distraction, less anxiety and results in a happier mood.
activity
Getting out into the garden, or better yet, into nature, brings enormous benefits. This can improve our well-being and reduce stress. It also stimulates our senses, whether it’s listening to birdsong, watching wildlife or feeling leaves. In addition, exercise and social contacts are beneficial for health.
Encouraging activities such as cooking and baking, washing dishes and gardening is important as it satisfies the basic need of people to feel busy and engaged and gives meaning to life.
Creative forms of expression such as painting and writing are also key to identity and well-being.
Food and food
Although appetite typically decreases with age, nutrient requirements actually increase. This makes it even more important to eat nutritious meals with plenty of high-quality proteins, such as eggs, poultry, beans and legumes. You can add additional ingredients to boost the nutritional value—serve soups with a little omega-3 rich oil and vegetables to accompany any savory dish.
Avoid highly processed foods and replace empty calories with nutrient-rich alternatives. Some people with dementia find it difficult to remember when or how much they last ate, and the disease can lead to sugar cravings, often leading to an over-reliance on snacking.
Food can trigger memories and take people back to past memories, which can stimulate appetite, which is important for people with dementia. Traditional favorites such as shepherd’s pie or fish and chips are generally a good idea, but of course everyone is very individual and preferences may vary.
Some people with dementia experience tremors, which can be relieved by using “anti-tremor” cutlery. And white plates with colored edges will help people navigate their plates while eating.
Wednesday
AT HOME
Some people are scared by the blackness of empty television screens. When the TV is not on, you can cover it with a tablecloth or hang screensaver-style pictures depicting a quiet environment.
If you have stairs, make sure there is at least one handrail. Place carpets or guard strips on stairs, or mark the edges of steps with colored tape to make them more visible.
Insert safety plugs into unused outlets and take care of safety latches on cabinet doors.
Make sure all rooms and outdoor areas are well lit, and remove curtains and rugs with bright patterns that might confuse people.
GARDEN
If you have a garden, spend time there with your loved one. Make sure there is a comfortable place to sit and relax, and consider installing wind chimes, which can have a calming effect. The sound of dripping water can also have a therapeutic effect.
Raised beds make gardening or placing plants easier, and showy plants are a great way to stimulate the senses. You may want to choose bright and showy flowers such as coneflowers, pelargoniums, tulips and alliums, while areas with softer plantings, especially shades of blue and white, will have a more calming effect.
I would like to thank the following KYN staff and consultants for their work in producing the care advice on which this article is based: Caroline Naidoo, Managing Director; Emma Hewat, Head of Dementia; Sian Walker, Marketing Director; Dio Giotas, Admiral Nurse; Quincy McDonald, CIO; Jessica Scheel, director of life enhancement and well-being; Tristan Welch, executive chef; Honey Langcaster-James, Consultant Psychologist; Eva Humphreys, nutritionist.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.