Dementia Friendly Community Employee Education

Dementia Friendly Communities A community that shows a high level of public awareness and understanding of dementia In which it is possible for the greatest number of people with dementia to live a good life Where persons with dementia are enabled to live as independently as possible and to continue to be part of their community Where they are met with understanding and given support where necessary

A dementia friendly community enables those with dementia to Find their way around and be safe Access the local facilities that they are used to and where they are known (such as banks, shops, cafes, cinemas, and post offices) Maintain their social networks so they feel they continue to belong

Goal Goal =To make quality of life measurably better in the Jefferson County Community by easing the fear and isolation associated with dementia, and by increasing access to the resources people need to live well with dementia.

Living with dementia  Dementia is caused by changes in the brain  These changes interrupt the way information is processed and the way emotions are regulated (memory, thinking, and behavior)  Dementia comes on slowly and progresses over time, eventually effects daily tasks  The way dementia affects each person is unique in each person who has it

From the viewpoint of the person with dementia Even if our perception of time and space has changed, we live in a world where relationships, objects, and situations matter We may not be able to speak about the meaning environments have, but a sense of meaning and importance remains in our lives

Dementia impairs our memories  We can forget where we put things  We can forget what we have been doing recently  We can forget people’s names, even people close to us (*so please don’t take it personally)  We can forget we have done something and so repeat doing or saying things  Our strongest memories may be for events from the past (*a key to conversation)

Dementia impairs our reasoning  We can find abstract notions like money, rules, and values confusing  We can find the results of actions hard to predict  We can misunderstand the pattern on the floor

Dementia impairs our ability to learn  We can find new places disorienting  We can have difficulty getting used to unfamiliar objects or routines  We forget where basic things like the restrooms are

Dementia raises our levels of stress  We can find large groups difficult  We can become anxious in situations we coped well in before  Too much noise makes us confused  We are very sensitive to things like alarms

Dementia can make us very sensitive to the emotional atmosphere  We benefit from calmness

Dementia causes changes in our sensory-motor function  We may not be able to smell, feel, and see things (especially bland colors that blend)  We may get agitated if we get too hot  We need good lighting to give us as much information as possible about our surroundings and can become confused if there is not enough  We may have difficulty navigating changes of level on the floor

Our core needs To be useful To have our self- esteem boosted To give and receive love To still be able to care for ourselves and others

How do I physically approach someone who has dementia?  Approach from the front within the line of vision  Calm, positive, friendly, smile  Good eye contact

How do I interact successfully with someone who has dementia?  Never argue  The person with dementia is always right  Is there a need?  Ask a simple question, keep it short and speak slowly, repeat and allow time for a response  Help the person to feel in control  Show you care  Don’t take things personally  Acknowledge feelings  Put yourself in their position  Watch your mood and body language (persons with dementia tend to mirror the emotions of those around them) Calm begets calm. Try to remain happy and positive.  Logic and reason do not apply  Pay attention to body language and non-verbal messages  Listen to verbal messages, can you build on them?  Accept people where they are

Responses that might be helpful  I will be here if you need anything  Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.  Your are pretty important around here.  If you need anything, just let me know.  That’s a good idea. I’ll have to try that!  I do silly things like that, too.  Between the two of us, we will be OK.  Your are a pretty special person.  Wow, you are so smart!  Thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you.  You always look out for me.

*What do you know about their Life Story? Who are they?What do you know about them? What did they used to do? What did they enjoy? What’s important to them? Build on the comments they make (if something works, remember it- a favorite story they keep repeating) Learn by listening and observing, talk with the caregiver

All behavior is communication  An unmet need? Bathroom, hungry, uncomfortable, too hot/cold, illness, restless/bored?  Pacing of Activities/flow of the day  Personal routine preference

If all behavior is meaningful, what is this person trying to communicate?  Try to stop thinking, “She’s confused, she has dementia.  Starting thinking, “I am confused, I don’t know what she’s trying to tell me”  Instead of, “how can I control this person?”  Think, “How can I accommodate this person?”

What if this person takes something and tries to leave with it?  Have a “replacement” stock and tell the person gladly, “thank you for finding that, I have been looking all over for that! (self- esteem, usefulness need). Could you take this (replacement product) and watch it for me? Or, I think this belongs to you.  If this doesn’t work, can you work out something with the caregiver for later return or payment?

What is a Dementia Friendly environment?  Accessible environments that enable people to reach, enter, use and move around the places and spaces they need or wish to visit, regardless of any physical, sensory, or cognitive impairment.  Safe environments so people can independently use, enjoy, and move around places and spaces freely without fear of harm

Designing Dementia Friendly Environments  Purposeful destinations: bright colors, opportunities to use their remaining abilities, favorite things*, these spaces allow them to engage in interests spontaneously; to move around this space with a sense of meaning and importance allowing for engagement  Welcoming atmosphere: quiet, calm, relaxing, positive, friendly  Wayfinding cues to help them understand where they are, what is expected of them in this space, and which way they need to go

Dementia Friendly Environment  Make up for reduced sensory, cognitive, and motor ability to support independence  Lighting should be 3-5 times brighter  Flooring, pathways should be clear, clutter free, color contrasts should mark changes in floor level and level changes clearly marked, hand-rails contrast with wall colors, non-glare surfaces

Resources Sue Konkel Dementia Care Specialist, ADRC Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline ADRC M-F 8-4: See brochure and handlouts

Questions/Situations?  Thank you for being here today  Thank you for all you do  Thank you for caring  Certificate