2. Why is this Important? “When You know better you do better” Maya Angelou

3.  How to keep their dignity and your sanity  Caregiving 101 or….911

4.  Older adults may experience slower recall or forget only parts of an event.  Remains able to follow spoken and written instructions  Difficulty concentrating (requires fewer distractions, less noise, etc.)  Capacity to learn stays in tact, however, new info may take longer to absorb.

5.  Dementia is the loss of mental functioning that causes deficits in memory, language, learning ability, judgment, and orientation.

6.  Dementia is diagnosed when there are cognitive and behavioral symptoms that: 1) Interfere with the ability to function at work or usual activities, 2) Represent a decline from previous level of function 3) Are not explained by a delirium or other psychiatric disorder

7.  D- drug reaction  E- Emotional disorders (depression, schizophrenia)  M- Metabolic and endocrine  E- Eyes and ears (sensory loss)  N- Nutritional deficits  T- Tumors or NPH  I- Infection (UTI, Pneumonia)  A- Arteriosclerosis

8. 1) Alzheimer’s 2) Lewy Body 3) Vascular 4) Parkinson’s 5) Fronto-Temporal 6) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

10.  More positively referred to as “actions or reactions”

12.  Frontal Lobe  Temporal lobe  Hippocampus  Occipital lobe  Sensory Center

13.  Usually first to go (Alzheimer’s)  As disease progresses, age regresses  Common behaviors seen  Remember…those things that irritate you today may be treasures tomorrow.

14.  The single problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” G.B. Shaw  When communication is impaired caregiving becomes a challenge

15.  Validates feelings  Creates reassurance and enhances cooperation  Enhances self esteem, reducing depression  Reduces isolation, loneliness  Diffuses power struggles, prevents catastrophic behaviors/abusive incidents

16.  Stereotypic language “easier said than done,” “you got me”  Empty speech  Violations of conversation rules  Repeating stories  Windows of lucidity

17.  Verbal  Nonverbal

18.  Behind every behavior is an unmet need

19.  Listen  Observe what the patient is trying to tell you  Take time to figure out what they need  Begin with basics toileting, temperature, hunger and thirst  Develop trust by using good communication

20.  1. Greet before you Treat  2. Focus on a positive greeting  3. Give a compliment  4. Bring a positive visual cue

21.  Validation is a method of communicating with and helping the disoriented.  Validation is built on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals. Naomi Feil

22.  Can bring comfort  Can cause agitation

23.  1. Visual- Must start with visual  2. Verbal- has to match visual  3. Touch- last, only use if above two are accomplished.  4. Smell  5. Taste.

24.  1. Short simple information  2. Provide Choices (1 or 2)  3. Ask them for help (don’t command)  4. Eliminate distractions  5. Repeat same command and wait

26.  Remember their Greatness  Live their truth  Provide structure  Remove the word “No”  Removing an object  Identify favorites  Be like a duck  Be like the sun

27.  Take Action  Kick start  Safe haven  Let go of expectations

28.  Start the morning off right  Nap  Do something they love

29.  Problem solvers  Validate before redirecting

30.  If this is new problem the patient needs an evaluation.  Don’t try to fix it, but Acknowledge…  Don’t use reality  Connect with the patient’s emotion regarding the situation  Meet their need  May need to change their environment  Go with the Flow!!!!!!

31.  When you have met one person with Alzheimer’s you have met one person with Alzheimer’s!  Listen to the words the staff/family use to describe the patient  Put the person first, not the characteristic

32.  “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Jolene Brackey

33.  When we learn with pleasure we never forget, Alfred Mercier

34.  Can be exhausting  Feelings of grief/relief  Ask for help  Be aware of care giver burden and burnout!  Resources are available:  South Arkansas Center on Aging 870-881-8969  Local support groups

35.  www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers  www.alz.org www.alz.org  www.caregiving.org www.caregiving.org  Teepasnow.com  Jolene Brackey, “Creating moments of Joy”