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19 Search Results:

E. Self Esteem > Failure free activities • . Social activities that I feel comfortable with, being able to live at my comfort level, things around me that I am comfortable with and that I recognize,

H. Spirituality > 1. Sample narratives • As a nurse working in a rest home I have found that spirituality in the elderly with dementia is very important to them whether it be by sitting quietly and feeling connected to God or enjoying creativity or enjoying others entertaining them. My own mother who has dementia would like to go to church every day. She was/is a very religious person and helps out in various ways in her church. When she is in church she just sits there and absorbs the atmosphere around her. People have said they enjoy sitting near to her, Her spirituality invades them. My mother responds well to be called by her first name. She will not know who the person is who is talking to her but smiles and greets this person because she knows intuitively that that person is a friend and will not hurt her. She now goes twice a week to an Alzheimer group where she participates in games and has good social interaction with those other people there. As I work I have a carer coming into help mum for some of the time I am away. She feels safe and secure with ‘R’ who she has named Jane. Mum treats ‘R’as part of the family and welcoming when she arrives. At times she will get angry and verbally aggressive with her as she does with me. I was told that mum didn't have delusions but fractionated images that were real to her. She has 2 children and her images are about her children at different times in their life. At times it is difficult to tell which baby or child she is talking about when she is talking to me her adult daughter. She might say "H, where is that ‘H’ is at someone place". I often placate her by telling her she is in Christchurch with my sister which she accepts. We live in Napier. J NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

D. Identity/Continuity > Person Centered • Avoid rejection by community in particular a community of friends themselves ageing who feel that they are no longer able to cope with having a person with dementia in their midst. The community imposing options for care - respite in a rest home without discussion and day care that did not meet the needs of the person with dementia.

G. Creativity/Aesthetics > Activities • Being able to participate with ADL things - peeling potatoes/vegetables - buttering bread - van rides/taking outings - going shopping - having morning/afternoon teas - doing dishes - having hair set - sherry with meals - massage of feet or all - music/dancing - washing cars - sweeping - cleaning shoes - picking flowers - going to the beach - putting nuts and bolts together - reading the newspaper - helping in vegetable/flower garden - hanging/bringing in of clothes on line - include when doing your own chores about rest home - hugs and smiles - knitting/sewing.

I. Stimulation > Moderation • Calm lots of rest with some given small chore that I can either do now or later or not do if desired.

I. Stimulation > Rest as requested • Calm, lots of rest with some given small chore that I can either do now or later or not do if desired.

B. Relations/Communication > Inter-generational • I feel that being able to keep up contact with 'generations' is one way of promoting quality of life. I work in an 18 bed dementia rest home, band 3-4 and the one thing that used to be missing was visits from children of all ages - babies through to teenagers. Our residents vary between high functioning to quite low functioning but information generated from profiles has identified that they are all 'Grandparents'. The lack of children was denying our residents the opportunity to be grandparents. We are now lucky enough to have my son in the home, he has been coming since he was 4Yz weeks old and is now celebrating his 1st birthday next week. All of the residents have responded in a variety of ways, most many times a day. Our high function interact with him, push him around and sing songs to send him off to sleep. Our low functioning residents reach out towards him as he crawls past, or smile broadly when placed in their arms. As an added bonus my 5-year old joins us during the holidays and between them they give unconditional love by not seeing the dementia but a loving grandparent.

L. Strengthening Services > 2. Any other • Interaction from initial diagnosis to final stages of disease with same team of supports - eg geriatrician, Dr GP, educators, carers, careworkers, rest home with day care, respite care, full time care Stage III dementia facilities. Able to be accomplished in smaller towns and very beneficial. Maybe local AD support groups and rest home and primary coordinators of the total holistic interaction.

E. Self Esteem > Opportunity to achieve • Let rest home residents 'help' with daily chores - dry dishes, lay table, vacuum carpet, bake cakes - even though the attention span may only be a few minutes.

E. Self Esteem > Opportunity to achieve • Let rest home residents 'help' with daily chores like dry dishes, lay table, vaccum carpet, bake cakes, even though attention span may be only a few minutes

D. Identity/Continuity > Continuity with life story • My mother was a poet. I found comfort for us both by reinforcing her love of reading poetry.

D. Identity/Continuity > Continuity with life story • My mother was a very intelligent woman who, when she realised that her dementia was getting worse, I found comfort for us both in constantly reinforcing her love of reading poetry (she was a poet) and her desire to go to concerts, social functions etc.

D. Identity/Continuity > 1. Sample narratives • My role is in the rest home situation therefore largely with those in later stages of dementia. I provide activities. What I have observed is: QoL involves physical comfort i.e. excellent care which enhances the dignity of the person. Making sure that they maintain individualism. Respecting their possessions and who they were. Emotional well being - providing a serene environment. Not having radios blaring inappropriate music e.g. playing commercial radio - pop music to people who have always loved classical music. QoL involves finding out what the individual person has enjoyed in the past. Providing stimulating activities in moderation. Over stimulation often results in agitation as loud or inappropriate music also can do. Giving the person love in a gentle compassionate way when the dementia sufferer is receptive not to make the carers feel good about themselves. To be as far as possible in tune with the person's needs. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

D. Identity/Continuity > 1. Sample narratives • Positive Freedom of choice and choice taken seriously by others in decision making. Treated as an adult. Treated as person with ability to contribute to care and decision making. Autonomy within safety or ? security. Independence as long as possible. Trust in carers. To be treated as if able to continue with same interests and activities as before diagnosis eg continue with same hobbies, outings etc. When entry into rest home - family member carer must be taken very seriously. Cultural needs met - even when changing. Not to be 'labelled' as someone with particular stages. Individualised care. Family member carers gently changing roles - not an immediate "take over' of old roles. Fun introduced and continued. Physical contact but not in an overbearing way - especially if physical contact was not part of life. Negative A "take over' of the persons rights by the caring people. A medicalised approach with disease process being the most important. Too much over- protection by everyone! Infantalisation. Too rapid a change of roles by family members - increases the loss. All too serious theory. Being made to do activities that you don't want to or would never have done in their lives. Family members input being ignored. Withdrawal of former friends. In rest home care - lack of encouragement for friends and families to visit and be involved. I love grounded theory and congratulate you on choosing this methodology - inducted from us all. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

L. Strengthening Services > 1. Sample narratives • Positive Interaction from initial diagnosis to final stages of disease with same team of supports - eg geriatrician, Dr GP, educators, carers, careworkers, rest home with day care, respite care, full time care Stage III dementia facilities. Able to be accomplished in smaller NZ towns and very beneficial. Maybe local AD support groups and rest home and primary coordinators of the total holistic interaction. Negative Lack of staff (in Rest Home Situations) education in dementia in NZ eg practical help and activities available for individual cases if they arise. This applies especially to the smaller rural communities where it is expensive to get people to come and educate dementia staff. Theories are great but not always practical when you are working in a 'hands on' situation. (Tutors, teachers etc are often people who have not had practical experience). NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

G. Creativity/Aesthetics > 1. Sample narratives • Positive Pets. Treated as an adult. Make them feel worth of doing. Security. Show that you care towards the resident - taking, kiss on the head, hug. Make what you say to the resident sound to the resident genuine. Include resident in choices of what we are about to do, whether dressing, where to sit, what to do. Praise - they have done a good job - gee you look lovely today - gee since you have had a shave you look handsome - that brooch looks beautiful, where did you get it? - thanks for helping with buttering the bread - continued praise and reassurance for what they are doing. Supervison - rather than doing for or giving them a chance to do. Being able to participate with ADL things - peeling potatoes/vegetables - buttering bread - van rides/taking outings - going shopping - having morning/afternoon teas - doing dishes - having hair set - sherry with meals - massage of feet or all - music/dancing – washing cars - sweeping - cleaning shoes - picking flowers - going to the beach - putting nuts and bolts together - reading the newspaper - helping in vegetable/flower garden - hanging/bringing in of clothes on line – include when doing your own chores about rest home - hugs and smiles - knitting/sewing. Encourage with food and fluids without them realising for what reason you are doing it for. Joking with resident - have fund - it doesn't matter how stupid you may look if it gives the residents pleasure that is OK. Negative Speaking crossly, scalding for something no done right, give more space, arguments, showing that you disagree with what they are doing, making sure you don't sit/place next to a person who is not suitable, pushing into doing things they are resistant to - showers, sitting, toileting, restraint, ignoring in a group/solo situation, one particular person things OT time is threatening - taking over, discussion of past time eg war which are sensitive times, another does not enjoy the music volume. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

A. Choices > 1. Sample narratives • Positive Routine. Same things happening at the same time everyday. Remaining in a familiar environment with familiar people. Risk taking. A carer who can allow autonomy by minimising the risk and maximising choice. Recognition by family that there are changes due to dementia. Negative Other people unable or unwilling to accept or not able to cope with redirecting. Rejection by community in particular a community of friends themselves ageing who feel that they are no longer able to cope with having a person with dementia in their midst. The community imposing options for care - respite in a rest home without discussion and day care that did not meet the needs of the person with dementia. When providing care such as respite it is sometimes difficult to tell whose needs are being met. The same could be said for the decision to place permanently in a rest home. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

B. Relations/Communication > 1. Sample narratives • Positive I feel that being able to keep up contact with 'generations' is one way of promoting quality of life. I work in an 18 bed dementia rest home, band 3-4 and the one thing that used to be missing was visits from children of all ages - babies through to teenagers. Our residents vary between high functioning to quite low functioning but information generated from profiles has identified that they are all 'Grandparents'. The lack of children was denying our residents the opportunity to be grandparents. We are now lucky enough to have my son in the home, he has been coming since he was 4 weeks old and is now celebrating his 1st birthday next week. All of the residents have responded in a variety of ways, most many times a day. Our high function interact with him, push him around and sing songs to send him off to sleep. Our low functioning residents reach out towards him as he crawls past, or smile broadly when placed in their arms. As an added bonus my 5-year old joins us during the holidays and between them they give unconditional love by not seeing the dementia but a loving grandparent. Negative A breakdown in teamwork leaves the continuing core disjointed with no flow of routine. The resident then doesn't know whether they are coming of going which causes challenging behaviours to come to the surfce. NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL

K. Supporting Caregivers > Appreciation and care • Respite: Timeout for rest and refreshment