Transcript Workshop #1: Understanding Dementia

Living with Memory Changes
Interdisciplinary Community-Based Health
Education for Diverse Elders.
Project Funded by: HRSA Grant# 1 D37 HP 00838-01
Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus
Prof. Luis F. Riquelme, MS, CCC-SLP
Prof. Ellen Greer, MA, OTR/L, CPsyA
Prof. Ellen Godwin, MS, PCS, PT
Prof. Rebecca States, PhD
Assoc. Dean William Susman, PhD, PT
Living with Memory Changes
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Review definition: Dementia
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Define: Caregiver
Living with Memory Changes
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10 Signs of Caregiver Stress:
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Social withdrawal
4. Anxiety
5. Depression
Living with Memory Changes
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10 Signs of Caregiver Stress:(cont’d)
6. Exhaustion
7. Sleeplessness
8. Irritability
9. Lack of concentration
10. Health problems
Living with Memory Changes
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10 Commandments of caring for
someone with Dementia:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Never ARGUE, instead, AGREE
Never REASON, instead, DIVERT.
Never SHAME, instead, DISTRACT.
Never LECTURE, instead, REASSURE.
Never “REMEMBER”, instead,
REMINISCE.
Living with Memory Changes
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10 Commandments of caring for
someone with Dementia: (cont’d)
6. Never “I TOLD YOU,” instead, REPEAT.
7. Never “YOU CAN’T,” instead,
“DO WHAT YOU CAN.”
8. Never COMMAND OR DEMAND,
instead, ASK OR MODEL.
9. Never CONDESCEND, instead,
ENCOURAGE OR PRAISE.
10. Never FORCE, instead, REINFORCE.
Living with Memory Changes
Understanding difficult behaviors
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Repetitive actions
Aggressive behaviors
Suspicious thoughts
Recognition difficulties
Anxiety
Living with Memory Changes
Tips for responding to difficult behaviors:
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Stay calm and be understanding
Be patient and flexible
Respond to the emotion, not the
behavior
Don’t argue or try to convince
Acknowledge requests and respond to
them
Living with Memory Changes
Tips for responding to difficult behaviors:
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Accept the behavior as a reality of the
disease
Explore various solutions
Don’t take behaviors personally
Talk to others
Find time for yourself
Living with Memory Changes
Daily Living Solutions
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Memory Aids
Care at home AND at residential
facilities
Safe Return Program
Living with Memory Changes
Q&A
Questions and Answers