Responding to Dementia (ageing at home)

Chapter 15: Responding to Dementia

Overview:

• Defines dementia
• Outlines the progression of dementia on an individual
• Varying carer circumstances are discussed
• The role of the community aged services professional are outlined
• Suggests various strategies for a practical care plan
• Uses examples to explain the help the individual needs with daily living
• Discusses when it is necessary for an individual suffering with dementia to have residential care

Description:

In this chapter dementia as a ‘syndrome’ is defined and discussed thoroughly. It outlines the progression of the syndrome on the individual, strategies for the carer and it also looks at the role of both the carer and community; as well as touching on when it becomes essential for a sufferer to be placed in residential care.

Topics:

• Introduction
• What is dementia?
• The individual person
• The carer
• The role of the community aged services professional
• Principles in developing a care plan
• The practical care plan
• Help with daily living
• When is it time, and is it necessary, for Ellen to have residential care?
• Feedback loop
• Life enhancing
• Further reading

Speaker / Author:

Elery Hamilton-Smith, AM

Professor and Honorary Research Fellow, Lincoln Gerontology Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Elery Hamilton-Smith has wide-ranging interests in social policy and social development and has been a visiting professor at many universities in North America and Europe. His long-standing interest in leisure services for ageing people led to his involvement in a research program on improving ‘the lot’ of people with a dementing illness. That research culminated in the development of the ELTOS (Enhanced Living Through Optimal Stimulus) theory and the book Rethinking Dementia — an Australian approach (of which he was joint Editor) with its companion kit Teaching About Dementia, both published by Ausmed Publications and both of which have sold widely in Australia and are now beginning to penetrate overseas. Elery is now exploring the application of the ELTOS guidelines to better home care for people with dementia.

Theresa Cluning

Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Diploma of Applied Science (Community Health and Maternal and Child Health), Bachelor of Applied Science (Advanced Nursing), Master of Educational Studies, Fellow of the College of Nursing Australia.

Theresa has worked in many roles in various areas of health care including acute hospitals, residential care, community health, academia and community case management. She has been involved with many people who have dementia and with those who care for people with dementia. She has always been humbled by the amount of care and love shown by those caring for someone with dementia, particularly when the loved one’s core personality is gradually and certainly fading. It is often heart breaking for the carer to witness.

Professional Reviews: