Barbara Sharp, A shared understanding of dementia

A shared understanding of dementia

Barbara Sharp

Dementia is everybody’s

business

ADI (2010;2012)

Dementia in Scotland

• 86,000 people with dementia (2013)• Projected - the number of people

with dementia will double in the next 25yrs

• Dementia is a national priority

The nature of dementia…

• Range of syndromes• Hundreds of variations• Characterised by losses in brain function

- thinking, planning, calculating, remembering, reasoning, language

• Severe impact on personal, social and occupational life

Dementia

Of the many different conditions that cause dementia the most common are:•Alzheimer’s disease•Vascular dementia•Dementia with Lewy bodies•Fronto-temporal dementia

Learning disabilities and dementia

• Higher risk of developing dementia• Risk likely to be genetically determined• Usually Alzheimer’s• Most will have brain changes but not all

develop symptoms• Symptoms broadly similar to other with some

differences

Dementia

• These conditions cause damage to neurones and complex connections between them

• Impact is highly individual

Relationships Environment

The person you are

The person you are

Life experiencesCoping Physical

Psychological health

PhysicalPsychological

health

Brain changes

Personhood

Attention to personhood involves recognition of the central role of relationships and the uniqueness of each person

T. Kitwood 1997

5 pillars of post-diagnostic support

1. Understanding the illness & managing symptoms

2. Supporting community connections

3. Peer support

4. Planning for future decision-making

5. Planning for future care

The person with dementia and the

environment

Interventions and environments

Visual perception in dementia(seeing-understanding)

• Contrast sensitivity• Object and face recognition (agnosia and

prosopagnosia)• Colour and depth perception• Figure/background discrimination• Understanding what you see

Some ideas from the ward

With thanks to sister June Delaney and

the staff at Wester Moffat hospital

External Fire Door & Patient’s Toilet

Way-finding Handrail

Regular Seating(Positive Imaging)