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Working with dementia is challenging to say the least. Years ago, dementia care looked quite different to what we offer today. Many residents with dementia were mistreated, forced into rigid schedules and even ridiculed. Although we are now more knowledgeable regarding the best approach to dementia care, we still have a long way to go. In April 2010, the British government began an emergency resolution to improve dementia care through addressing the obvious deficit in nursing and care giver education. Also brought to attention was the need to improve palliative care, because, as we all know, dementia does eventually end in death. An estimated million plus persons in the U.K. will be living with dementia within the next 15 years, and the numbers in America are no better.

There is no question that we all have a lot to learn to help us be better caregivers to these residents. Through a literature review, I came across some excellent suggestions to help anyone that deals with dementia. Here are some of the top pearls:

1. Always introduce yourself when you approach someone with dementia.
2. If a resident with dementia begins to display disturbing behavior, keep two things in mind. First, untreated pain is the number one cause of behaviors. Second, infection, even as simple as a UTI can cause changes in ability and also may result in undesirable behaviors.
3. There is never any use trying to argue with a person suffering from dementia. Instead, distraction and comfort should be your focus.
4. Use family and caregivers as much as you can, they are your most valuable source of information regarding what techniques are successful to calm their agitated loved one.
5. Learn as much as you can about the resident’s past. Knowing their background can help give you ideas of how best to comfort that individual.
6. Use appropriate touch as much as you can.
7. Keep them busy. Having residents fold towels or sort through papers can not only keep them engaged, but also prevent wandering or other behaviors.
8. Listen to their stories and tales, regardless if you have already heard the story 10 times. Also, never hesitate to repeat yourself to the resident.
9. Continually assess and document their level of impairment as changes can indicate other issues.
10. Finally, when you interact with a resident that has dementia, focus on making them comfortable as you number one priority.

Dementia is not going to go away, or become less of an issue. I agree with the British model of increased education. The more we know the better; dementia is a complex disease with unique challenges. Perhaps it is time that we approach our governments and request more education. There is continual research into drug therapies to treat dementia; however, they all merely slow the disease process rather than improving cognitive function. Our best bet is to learn as much as we can about how best to care for dementia sufferers, from the research, journals, and of course, each other.

By Aurora Cyganik-Barker RN, BN.  Aurora has worked in all aspects of long term and seniors care for over eight years. Currently, she works in a rural facility that has both acute beds and a long term care wing that houses 20 residents.

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