Supporting Emotional Safety in Dementia Supporting Emotional Safety in Dementia Dr Sarah Butchard Clinical Psychologist Mersey Care NHS Trust/ BPS Faculty for Psychology of Older People
Outline Emotional Impact of receiving a diagnosis Outline Emotional Impact of receiving a diagnosis What is emotional safety? Frameworks to support emotional safety Practical examples Future directions
Perception of dementia Perception of dementia
Dementia Words Useless Mad Dependent Confused Old Losing It Stupid Dementia Words Useless Mad Dependent Confused Old Losing It Stupid Demented
Why is Stigma Important? Why is Stigma Important? External stigma and stereotypes are often internalised impacting on the way a person feels about themselves. Stigma can lead to the other S words: Shame Silence Secrecy
and offering help Inactivity in seeking dementia prevents discussion and offering help Inactivity in seeking dementia prevents discussion Stigma of Nothing can be False belief: done Normal part of ageing
An Alternative
How to get from A to B
Emotional Safety Many definitions of emotional safety. Emotional Safety Many definitions of emotional safety. Some common factors: Involves relationships Relies on trust Feeling of being accepted Able to just be Allows people to feel able to be open , at ease and to develop.
Why Emotional Safety? Dementia services have traditionally focused on decline. Encouraging emotional safety will be looking at people’s strengths and abilities.
BioPsychoSocial Model BioPsychoSocial Model Social Psychology Biology How I react How others react
Kitwood’s Emotional Needs Kitwood’s Emotional Needs
A Human Rights Based Approach A Human Rights Based Approach Participation Accountability Non-Discriminatory Empowerment Legality The Panel Principles
Key factors Maintaining personhood is the central aim of care provision Key role of the carer is to reflect people’s humanity and social value Promote independence Knowledge of the person Biographical and life story work Partnership working Subjective experience
Practical examples Post diagnostic support Practical examples Inclusion Participation Identity Hope Empowerment Post diagnostic support Accountability Occupation Peer support/ Inclusion groups Non-Discriminatory Legality Patricipation Dementia friendly communities