Both the principles of medicine and social work, as well as those that are forming the most important international documents have one in common – the focus on the person and his/her wellbeing. For that reason we should familiarise ourselves with the concept “person-centred care”. It means that the care is provided in a way to ensure person’s best interests. Let’s take a look at practical recommendations of how to do it when caring for a person living with dementia!
1. Know the person living with dementia. The individual living with dementia is more than a diagnosis. It is important to know the unique and complete person, including his/her values, beliefs, interests, abilities, likes, and dislikes—both past and present. This information should inform every interaction and experience.
2. Recognize and accept the person’s reality. It is important to see the world from the perspective of the individual living with dementia. Doing so recognizes behavior as a form of communication, thereby promoting effective and empathetic communication that validates feelings and connects with the individual in his/her reality.
3. Identify and support ongoing opportunities for meaningful engagement. Every experience and interaction can be seen as an opportunity for engagement. Engagement should be meaningful to, and purposeful for, the individual living with dementia. It should support interests and preferences, allow for choice and success, and recognize that even when the dementia is most severe, the person can experience joy, comfort, and meaning in life.
4. Build and nurture authentic, caring relationships. Persons living with dementia should be part of relationships that treat them with dignity and respect, and where their individuality is always supported. This type of caring relationship is about being present and concentrating on the interaction, rather than the task. It is about “doing with” rather than “doing for” as part of a supportive and mutually beneficial relationship.
5. Create and maintain a supportive community for individuals, families, and staff. A supportive community allows for comfort and creates opportunities for success. It is a community that values each person and respects individual differences, celebrates accomplishments and occasions, and provides access to and opportunities for autonomy, engagement, and shared experiences.
6. Evaluate care practices regularly and make appropriate changes. Several tools are available to assess person-centered care practices for people living with dementia. It is important to regularly evaluate practices and models, share findings, and make changes to interactions, programs, and practices as needed.
Dementia care practice recommendations
