D = NI = P = H = B = SP

Neurological Impairment (NI) How do you think this may affect the person?

NI Neurological impairment associated with dementia affects; Memory function The ability to use and understand spoken and written language The ability to carry out practical everyday tasks The ability to perceive the world as others do The ability to plan a course of action and see things from other peoples viewpoint

Personality (P) This is all of the strengths and vulnerabilities that we have as human beings and that will have a direct effect on how individuals cope with the effects of dementia. If a person has always been in control then they will struggle with the consequences of dementia. An extrovert may cope better with communal living than an introvert.

Biography (B) People will try and make sense of what is happening to them in the here and now by reference to experiences they have had in the past. Due to the brain damage people may have their memories may not be reliable e.g. people may not remember being admitted to a nursing home. People will try and make sense of where they are and so use past memories to do this.

Personality (P) Personality does not usually change as a result of having dementia. How people respond to stress and challenge are learnt behaviours Asking family and friends how people have coped previously may help to plan care when helping someone to cope with the challenges living with dementia can bring

Health (H) For someone elderly especially if they have the label of dementia sometimes family carers, care staff and professionals may attribute an increase in confused behaviour to the dementia People with dementia are mores susceptible to acute confessional states and delirium arising from physical health problems.

Health (H) People with dementia will not be able to give an accurate account of their symptoms due to memory problems It is important that carers are immediately aware of any changes in a persons physical health.

Biography or Life History (B) People make sense of what is happening to them in the present by referring to the past and past experiences. Due to brain damage the more recent past for people with dementia has often not been laid down reliably within memory stores. For example people may not remember being admitted into a nursing home and this will not relate to any past experiences.

Social Psychology (SP) This is the social and psychological environment in which people with dementia find themselves It is the relationships between people Kitwood viewed person-centred care for people with dementia took place in the context of relationships. Kitwood believed that social psychology could be supportive or damaging to people with dementia