Keeping Connected

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Keeping Connected
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WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

• To acknowledge the bewildering emotions commonly
  experienced by family carers as they feel
  connections with their person change and become
  lost over time
• To explain the impact of dementia on connections
• To suggest practical, affordable ways for family
  carers to make the most of connections as
  dementia progresses

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WHAT DOES KEEPING CONNECTED MEAN?

• Getting through
• Same wave length
• Attached, belong
• Shared, meaningful time together
• Communication
• Meaningful responses
• A sense of connection not necessarily using
  words

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WHAT DO CARERS COMMONLY FEEL WHEN CONNECTIONS ARE
CHANGING?
Empty
Creative
Lonely
Frustrated
Sad
Bewildered
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THE EFFECTS OF DEMENTIA OVER TIME

• Progressive loss of memory
• Loss of sense of self
• Reduced concentration
• Difficulty completing tasks
• More time required
• Easily overwhelmed
• Communication changes

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WHAT IS THE GOAL?

• Building self-esteem
• Reducing stress
• Maximising independence (balanced with safety and
  happiness)
• Fun and pleasure
• Optimising connections
• Quality of life for both of you!

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3 KEY SUGGESTIONS

• Remember the uniqueness of your person
• Focus on current abilities
• Try to adapt and adjust as dementia progresses

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REMEMBER THE UNIQUENESS OF YOUR PERSON

• Previous interests?
• Previous roles?

Social activities
Music
Sport
Handicrafts
Teacher
Home Duties
Banker
Farmer
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FOCUS ON CURRENT ABILITIES

• Participation in social activities
• Enjoyment of a sense of humour
• Use of long term memories and skills
• Appreciation of the senses

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CONSIDER WAYS YOU CAN HELP AND SUPPORT

• Lower expectations
• Consider your approach to communication
• Focus on non-verbal activities
• Share what you know with paid carers and other
  family members
• Have fun!

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WHY IS REMINISCENCE IMPORTANT?

• To make the most of longer term memories
• To enhance self-esteem by recalling pleasurable,
  meaningful experiences from the past

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ACTIVITIES THAT REFLECT THE UNIQUENESS OF THE
INDIVIDUAL

• Inclusion in everyday tasks
• This Is Your Life book
• Individual projects
• Music
• Spiritual activities
• Outings

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PRODUCTS TO ENHANCE REMINISCENCE
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PRODUCTS TO ENHANCE REMINISCENCE
Remember, its not what you do but how you do it
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LATE DEMENTIA.focus on the senses

• Hand massage
• Manicure
• Brushing hair
• Music
• Families recorded voices
• Communication book
• Walk in the garden and smell the roses
• Reading to
• Fiddle mats
• Memory boxes

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Remember

• The uniqueness of your person
• To focus on current abilities
• To adapt and adjust as dementia progresses
• To take care of your own physical and emotional
  needs