dementia guest speaker

brain with dementia

brain mass and volume decrease, brain darkens due to sick cells causing increased fluctuations
some fluctuations are predictable, look for patterns

memory losses

short term memory, immediate recall, situational memory, motor memory

memory preserved abilities

long ago memory, emotional memory, confabulation

language losses

formal language, info becomes vague, can’t make needs known, can’t find the right words, can’t explain the situation

language preserved abilities

automatic social chit-chat, rhythmic language, music and singing, prayer, expletives

emotional and impulse control losses

social graces, think it - say it, like it - do it, see it - take it

emotional and impulse control preserved

desire to be respected and in control, holding on to feelings, startle reflex

positive physical approach

approach from the front, go slow, offer your hand, hand-under-hand position, get to the side on their level, introduce yourself by name, wait for a response

positive communication

getting the person to do something, having social visits, dealing with distress

communication strategies for doing things together using positive physical approach

offer simple info, ask person to help you, give simple choices, ask person to try, break down activity into steps, instruct one step at a time, show movements, show objects that you want to use
if it’s not working back off and try something different

communication strategies for socializing using positive physical approach

take time to visit, go with flow, realize facts won’t be 100% accurate, they may invent details, do have emotional memory, may remember old stories well, show objects you’re talking about, show movements

communication strategies for dealing with distress using the positive physical approach

make an emotional and empathetic connection, once the person is listening and responding use redirection or distraction