Dementia is a general term used for someone who is experiencing memory loss, problem solving

abilities, and other thinking abilities (Lawrence, R 2018). There are a lot of people all around the world that is
suffering from dementia. Almost 16 million people in Ireland is taking care elderly with dementia and most of
them find it difficult at first.

As a caregiver provider, one must bear positive attitude and be optimistic when taking care of them. I
have been a taking care of Alice for many years now. She is 62 years old and has been suffering with dementia
for 2 years. When taking care of Alice, I always maintain a positive and safe environment by helping them to
be happy and independent always but still cautious and careful that she is not harmed. People with dementia
often experience confusion and disorientation even to their own surroundings. To avoid such thing to happen
and to prevent her from falls, I always make sure that the surroundings, especially the furniture and the
arrangements are consistent and uncluttered and put handrails for her to easily grab it for support. This will help
her gain familiarity and would ground herself at home. As primary health care provider always checks if there
are potential hazards around the area and make sure to eliminate it (Lawrence, R 2018). In the bathroom, I put a
grab bars near the toilet and shower that can help support her when inside (Lawrence, R 2018). This will help
her get support and avoid falling that may cause harm to her. Moreover, I put a foam faucet cover in the bathtub
or any faucets inside the room so that, in case she will fall, this will protect her from gaining more injuries.
Furthermore, when she is taking a bath, I always make sure that the water temperature is adequate and that it is
enough for her. I prevent her from gaining access to any hazardous appliances and taking control of attaching
the appliances to any electric socket to stop her from getting hurt. Also, to avoid having her accidentally locked
herself inside the room, I remove the locks inside. Lastly, to monitor the Alice, I install monitors inside her
room to make sure that she is safe and sound when sleeping.

As Alice grow older through the months, her dementia is getting worse and that she finds difficulty in
concentrating and getting mobile. If an elderly remains in a position for too long, this will cause harm to them
like pressure ulcer or bedsores (‌McKeown J, Clarke A, Ingleton C, Ryan T, Repper J., 2019). To avoid this, I
encourage Alice to move around the house. We simply take a walk outside the house very morning and
afternoon whenever she feels like it. I always assist her in walking to make sure that she does not fall but still
giving her the feeling of freedom and independence. When taking a walk, I always remain attentive to her at all
times to avoid any untoward incidence.

Despite being old and having dementia, Alice has her routines in her personal hygiene like take a bath
every day, brushes her teeth, and washing her face before going to sleep. At present, we still follow the same
routinary activities because consistency is important for people who experiences dementia (‌McKeown J, Clarke
A, Ingleton C, Ryan T, Repper J., 2019). I always give her privacy when she is doing her routines but still, I
make sure that she is safe. I always wait outside her bathroom door while she is taking a bath and brushing her
teeth. Although there are times that I have to remind her to brush her teeth before sleeping because she
sometimes forgets it. Sometimes, I also have to prepare her dress to make sure that it is appropriate and checked
it to make sure that she properly wears her clothes and avoid mismatched and unbuttoned.

Moreover, Alice needs help when toileting. I always make sure that she is clean by checking her
regularly. Most of the time, she seeks independence. That is why I let her go to the toilet independently but
always giving her reminders to be careful. I always wait outside whenever she is inside the toilet to make sure
that everything is okay. The hand grabs that I put up inside the toilet is a very great help in making sure that she
can support herself and avoid falling.

I usually interact with Alice by talking to her regularly. We talked almost about anything and
everything. Constant communication with people who are experiencing dementia is important to make them
feel loved and important despite their health (Moos I, Bjorn A., 20006). When we are talking, I speak softly and
calmly using short sentences to avoid overwhelming her. I do not rush her and give her enough time to respond
to avoid feeling pressured. I also encourage her to speak what is on her mind and always understand and respect
her ideas and opinions. When we are talking, I always make sure that I am attentive and show interest in talking
with her to make her feel comfortable with our conversation. I also use non-verbal communications like tapping
her hands or shoulders and rubbing her back. This way, she feels at ease with me and makes her feel that I am
her friend and confidante. When we are talking, I always made sure that my tone is appropriate to avoid
upsetting her. When we talk with people who are experiencing dementia, always talk with your eyes, ears, and
heart, making them feel loved and important (Moos I, Bjorn A., 20006).

Anyone who does not eat, and drink properly can cause harm to the body of a person. I always make
sure that Alice is eating properly, and drinking enough water to avoid dehydration and urinary tract infection.
When preparing her food, I always consider its nutritional content. I offer different kinds of food that is easy to
eat and that she likes to make sure that she eats the meal prepared. Sometimes, Alice does not like to eat so I
prepare shakes and smoothies of her favorite fruit. There are also times that I first offer the dessert to make her
realize that the meal or food is great and talk with her while eating. Then I secretly add another food on her
plate while talking. That way, we were able to connect and at the same time, she was able to eat.

Social inclusion to people with disabilities and has dementia has become a trend today (Skinner, Mark
W., et al. 2018). There are a lot of programs and activities available in the community to improve a person’s
social inclusion. Alice and I are part of a social group of patients and caregivers that has dementia. In the group,
we share experiences and different techniques to take care of people who have dementia. Moreover, we also let
them make their own decisions and create different activities fit for them. In this way, we made them feel that
they are part and important in the society. Moreover, it also helps them to communicate more with other people
who are also experiencing dementia the same with them. Being socially included, this can help them maintain
positive image. I also help Alice maintain positive image by allowing her to make her own decisions, develop
her self-esteem and create opportunities for her. Different social activities boost Alice’s self-confidence thus
maintaining her positive image.

People with dementia often encounter changes in their emotional reactions. They may have less
self-control over their emotions and how they convey them. I always make sure that Alice feels loved and
important to avoid emotional outbursts. Sometimes, I let her call her friends and let her talk to her family and
loved ones to avoid unpleasant circumstances. I offer her plenty of encouragement and never criticize her with
her actions and decisions. I always make sure to show interests in her activities and the things that she likes and
make her feel that I am also interested and invested in the things that she is doing.

Taking care of people who are experiencing dementia is never a walk in the park. Taking care of them is
never easy. It is like taking care of a child that needs more attention. Some adults are hardheaded and would
insist on the things that they want because they believe that they “still can”. They can still do the things that
they can when they are still young like driving cars, going to the grocery, and others. As primary caregivers, it
is important that we assist them in everything that they do. Adults do not need a warden, but they need a friend
and a confidante. Some of them hires caregivers to help them manage their medications while other need
caregivers because some of them needs higher level of support in physical care and hygiene. We must always
make sure to be everything that they need in order to support them all though out.

REFERENCES:

1. Lawrence, R (2018). “HelpGuide.org.” HelpGuide.org, 2 Nov. 2018,

www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia-aging/tips-for-alzheimers-caregivers.htm. Accessed 13
Jan. 2021.
2. ‌McKeown J, Clarke A, Ingleton C, Ryan T, Repper J., 2019. The use of life story work with people with
dementia to enhance person-centred care. Int J Older People Nurse 2010;5:148–58.
3. Moos I, Bjorn A., 2006. Use of the life story in the institutional care of people with dementia: a review
of intervention studies. Ageing Soc 2006;26:431–54. 10.1017

4. Skinner, Mark W., et al. 2018. “Improving Social Inclusion for People with Dementia and Carers

through Sharing Dance: A Qualitative Sequential Continuum of Care Pilot Study Protocol.” BMJ Open,

vol. 8, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2018, p. e026912, bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/11/e026912, 10.1136/bmjopen-

2018-026912. Accessed 14 Jan. 2021.

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