1. BTEC Level 3 National Health and Social Care Unit 40: Dementia care

2. © Hodder Education 2011 Learning outcomes 1. Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life 2. Know legislation and frameworks which govern dementia care 3. Understand roles and responsibilities when caring for individuals with dementia

3. © Hodder Education 2011 Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life Definitions  Dementia is defined as ‘A state of serious mental deterioration of organic or functional origin.’ (Source: Skills for Care)  ‘Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) that is associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. These include: thinking, language, memory, understanding and judgement.’ (Source: www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia)

4. © Hodder Education 2011 Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life Differences between dementia, depression and confusional states  Dementia: there is no cure; a person may not be aware of what is wrong.  Depression: responds to treatment; a person is usually aware of what is happening.  Confusional state: often linked to other illnesses; may be acute, i.e. brief and of sudden onset.

5. © Hodder Education 2011 Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life Types of dementia  Alzheimer’s disease: plaques or clumps of protein develop and interfere with normal brain function.  Vascular dementia: caused by circulatory problems, with insufficient blood and oxygen reaching the brain.  Dementia with Lewy bodies: caused when abnormal structures (Lewy bodies) develop inside the brain.  Fronto-temporal dementia (including Pick’s disease): occurs when the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink (often associated with early onset dementia in younger people).

6. © Hodder Education 2011 Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life Other types of dementia  Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) (sometimes called prion disease): there are four types of CJD – sporadic, variant CJD, iatrogenic and inherited prion disease.  Alcohol-related brain impairment (Korsakoff’s syndrome): dementia that comes from alcohol-related brain impairment.  CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant ateriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) caused by a genetic link which interferes with blood supply to the brain.  Other disorders causing dementia include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and HIV or AIDS.

7. © Hodder Education 2011 Know the types and effects of dementia on health and quality of life Common signs and symptoms of dementia  Decline in memory, reasoning and communication  Changes in behaviour  Loss of skills  Abilities which fluctuate  Movement difficulties

8. © Hodder Education 2011 Know legislation and frameworks which govern dementia care Legislation and frameworks  Enduring Power of Attorney Act  Human Rights Act  Data Protection Act  Mental Capacity Act  Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act  Mental Health Act  Single Equality Act  Putting people first: A shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care  Living well with dementia: the National Dementia Strategy

9. © Hodder Education 2011 Understand roles and responsibilities when caring for individuals with dementia Person-centred approach  Principles of care, for example, dignity, respect, choice, independence, privacy, rights, culture  Seeing the person first and the dementia second  Focus on strengths and ability  Preferred or appropriate communication  Acting in the best interests of the individual  Person-to-person relationships  Involve individual in care planning  Take account of history, for example, personal, family, medical  Use holistic, responsible and flexible approach  Involve family and friends and individual’s personal beliefs

10. © Hodder Education 2011 Understand roles and responsibilities when caring for individuals with dementia Safeguarding and protecting  Staff training and recruitment  Safeguarding work  Balance between protection and maintaining rights  Assistive technologies, for example, pressure mats; door alarms linked to staff pagers; personal pendant alarms  An enabling and safe environment, for example, hand rails; safe flooring; use of colour/textures; practical aids.

11. © Hodder Education 2011 Understand roles and responsibilities when caring for individuals with dementia Maintaining health and well-being  Methods of maintaining health, for example, conventional medicines; safe handling of medicines; complementary medicines; diet and nutrition; fluid intake; personal care; measures to reduce risk of infection  Appropriate exercise and activities specific to the needs of the individual, for example, music sensory  Alternative therapies, for example, aromatherapy, massage, sensory.

12. © Hodder Education 2011 Understand roles and responsibilities when caring for individuals with dementia Service provision  See ‘Can Gerry Robinson fix dementia care homes?’ at www.open2.net/dementia/index.htmlwww.open2.net/dementia/index.html  For an example of good practice see www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/07/29/108 997/croydons-memory-service-leads-the-way-on- dementia.htm www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/07/29/108 997/croydons-memory-service-leads-the-way-on- dementia.htm