View
228
Download
4
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
© Chengi Kuo 2015 1
Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach for the main carer
Chengi Kuo
Given at International Dementia Conference, Birmingham
on 3 November 2015
© Chengi Kuo 2015 2
INTRODUCTION Caring for someone is well recognised
- As a very demanding commitment
- Especially for the main carer
- Illness would reduce the ability to care
The main carers must be looked after by
- An effective method that enables them to
be fit and healthy for doing caring tasks
A self-caring approach is outlined here
The approach is generic and usable
CARIN
G S
OM
EO
NE
© Chengi Kuo 2015 3
CONTENTS
Define & classify the term “carer”
Give what is meant by “take care”
Identify criteria for a self-caring approach
Outline the 6-step self-caring approach
Provide a practical example of usage
Discuss issues requiring attention
Make some concluding remarks
SCO
PE C
OVERD
© Chengi Kuo 2015 4
WHAT IS A CARER?
The term is used widely & activities range
- From talking to some one & run errands
- To showering/dressing & manage funds
Dementia is a non- absolute entity because
- No fixed right/wrong caring solution
- Each person may care differently
- Leading to many definitions being used
There is a need to classify carers in order
- To focus on effective use of caring efforts
BASIS
OF T
HE T
ERM
© Chengi Kuo 2015 5
CLASSIFY CARERS
Manager carers (MC)
- Making caring arrangements & decisions
- Usually do NOT involve in personal care
Worker carers (WC)
- Will do a range of personal caring tasks
- Respond to the requests of MC and ACC
All Action Careers (AAC)
- Will take on the roles of both MC and AAC
- Often not by choice but by circumstances
INTO
TH
REE G
RO
UPS
© Chengi Kuo 2015 6
TAKE CARE
Friends/interested parties tend to use -The term for carers when departing Meanings of the term include - Be kind to one self & take rest often - More friendly than “good bye”, etc. These explanations are interesting - But provide NO guide to carers like AACs There is an urgent need for - An effective Self-Caring approach
A P
OPU
LR E
XPRESSIO
N
© Chengi Kuo 2015 7
SELF-CARING APPROACH
The driving force for the approach is
-To assist mainly the All Action Carer (AAC)
- But the approach should be usable to all
Basic features
- It must be generic for use by everyone
- Do not requires special skills
- Logical and systemic
DESIR
ABLE F
EATU
RES
© Chengi Kuo 2015 8
THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC
Caring goal: This will provide a guide for
caring direction & caring efforts needed
Healthy lifestyle : It will depend on the existing lifestyle and changes needed
Implementation: Do mental and physical exercises regularly
KEY C
RIT
ERIA
© Chengi Kuo 2015 9
THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC
Adequate rest: Learn to relax and try to
have undisturbed 8 hour sleep
Short respites and breaks: The AAC must have these by planning & by chance
Sharing caring experience: With others by reporting and gaining feedback
KEY C
RIT
ERIA
© Chengi Kuo 2015 10
THE S-C APPROACH
CLARIFY: AAC’s caring goal
HONE: A healthy lifestyle
EXERCISE: Mind & body regularly
NURTURE: A rest habit
GO: For frequent short breaks/respites
INSPIRE: Others by sharing experience
The first letter of each word gives the acronym CHENGI
TH
E 6
STEPS
© Chengi Kuo 2015 12
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
The CHENGI approach: It is the approach
I have devised in caring for my wife
Expressed in generic form: To ensure greater usage by other AACs
Summary of paper: Only the key features are outlined here in this presentation
FRO
M P
ERSO
NAL E
XPER.
© Chengi Kuo 2015 13
BACKGROUND
My wife gave early signs of dementia
- In 2004, given support, e.g. day care
By mid 2012, they can no longer cope
- Choice: Home care or nursing home
I opted former via single-handed
Learned to be a competent carer
Adopted my research skills to caring
TO
REAL L
IFE E
XAM
PLE
© Chengi Kuo 2015 14
CARING GOAL
Was defined as follows:
To enable my wife to live at home
for as long as reasonably practicable
while enjoying a high quality of life
in terms of health, diet, mental
stimulation, physical exercises, transfer
tasks with all safety hazards managed at tolerable risk level
FO
R M
Y W
IFE
© Chengi Kuo 2015 15
STEP 1: CLARIFY
My goal as an AAC is:
To meet the caring goal for my wife and give special attention to my own health and fitness while recognising my personal limitations
Seek supports: From all appropriate sources and persons
MY G
OAL A
S A
N A
AC
© Chengi Kuo 2015 16
STEP 2: HONE
Choice of healthy life-style: Suitable for
both my wife and me. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. I cook mostly from raw products
Personal life choices: I have never smoked and drink little alcohol mainly with meals
ON
A H
EALT
HY L
IFE-S
TYLE
© Chengi Kuo 2015 17
STEP 3: EXERCISE
Examples of mind: I spend 25% of my time doing research, teaching students,
writing papers and books
Examples of body: I go to gym 3-4 times a week for minor workouts and swim
outdoors Examples of hobbies: Cooking, music, art,
world current affairs, watch selected sports
MIN
D &
BO
DY R
EG
ULA
RLY
© Chengi Kuo 2015 18
STEP 4: NURTURE
Relaxing: I listen to music, go to concerts,
visit museums, do some gardening, trips to countryside & spend time with my wife.
Sleeping: I do NOT need too much sleep
as I fall asleep quickly and soundly. Short naps cam make up 8 hour short falls
A R
ESTIN
G H
ABIT
© Chengi Kuo 2015 19
STEP 5: GO
Respites: I seek several 1-5 days for going
outside of Glasgow and attending special occasions. Very lucky to have the support of an excellent nursing home
Examples of short breaks: Attend concerts, going out for meals with friends, participate in interesting seminars on various topics
FO
R S
HO
RT B
REAKS
© Chengi Kuo 2015 20
STEP 6: INSPIRE
Sharing experiences: I try different ways of
doing caring tasks and write papers for circulation and publication of ideas
Gaining feedbacks: I do caring tasks with worker carer and watch how they do things and listen to their views
OTH
ERS IN
CARIN
G
© Chengi Kuo 2015 21
DISCUSSION -1
Applicability of CHENGI approach: AAC will take time to grasp the principles, to try out and practise the approach. A positive attitude will help.
Any difficulties? Home carers have been generally helpful
and supportive to ACC but some problems with care manager from agencies
ISSU
ES L
EARN
T
© Chengi Kuo 2015 22
DISCUSSION - 2
Too ready to follow “accepted” methods: AAC and WC give too much respect to traditional ways and regulations without checking if they are scientific & up-to date Role of education All careers should be educated to seek
innovative ways of doing caring tasks better and share their experiences with everyone
ISSU
ES L
EARN
T
© Chengi Kuo 2015 23
CONCLUDING REMARKS
All Action Carer is doing a 24-7-365-N
(years) job and must have a self caring approach in place
The CHENGI Self-Caring approach is a
practical and flexible method that can be adopted for individual’s situation
The AAC should seek innovative ways to improve caring performances as the cared person’s dementia advances with time
ON
SELF-C
ARIN
G
Recommended