Beech House

A National Objective

• All care staff who work with people with dementia will:
• Have the right skills to give the best care
• Get the right training (learning)
• Get support to keep learning more about dementia

Learning Objectives

• Discuss experiences of dementia
• Identify “8 Common Core Principles” for dementia care
• Share best practice and communication methods

By 2021 it is estimated that over 1 million people will have diagnosed dementia

The cost of dementia care in the UK was over £23 billion in 2012

What do you see nurse?

Task 1 - What are your experiences of dementia?

Common Core Principle 1: Know the early signs of dementia.

Task 2 – Fact or Fake: Work in teams to eliminate the fake assumptions about the signs of dementia

Early signs of Dementia

• Loss or lapses of recent memory
• Mood changes or uncharacteristic behaviour
• Poor concentration
• Problems communicating
• Getting lost in familiar places

Early signs of Dementia

• Getting lost in familiar places
• Making mistakes in a previously learned skill
• Problems telling the time or using money
• Changes in sleep patterns or appetite

Common Core Principle 2: Early diagnosis of dementia helps people receive information, support and treatment at the earliest possible stage

Common Core Principle 3: Communicate sensitively to support meaningful interaction

Dementia may affect a person’s ability to understand and use language accurately and appropriately.




This is often seen as difficulty with remembering words or using them
accurately, repetition of thoughts and lack of coherence.

This is likely to vary from day to day and requires us to adapt our
communication with the person.
Other conditions and disabilities may
also affect people’s ability to communicate

Task 3 - Look at the handout

Discuss the scheme with your table and make notes.

Reflect on your own experiences

- do you have something similar in your organisation?

- can you share any success stories?

Communication

• Always make time and remain patient in every situation.
• Make use of the person’s past experiences and life story.
• Take account of a person’s usual communication skills & background culture
• Try to keep the environment calm and quiet as possible
• Always face the person in conversation and be reassuring in your responses

Communication

• Whatever is said to you, it is best to accept this and not argue.
• Frame questions so the person can answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’
• Listen carefully to grasp the meaning and tone
• Use non verbal communication
• Use images, pictures, symbols or music to enhance communication 

Common Core Principle 4: Promote independence and encourage activity

Task 4 – identify three people within your organisation & identify how you could promote independence and encourage activity

What would be the benefits? What would be the risks?

Early stages – people can still ‘follow’ rules – games, sports, discussion about topics of interest.





Middle stages – arts, crafts, tasks, reminiscing,




Later stages – activities to encourage movement etc

Common Core Principle 5: Recognise the signs of distress resulting from confusion and respond by diffusing a person’s anxiety and supporting their understanding of the events they experience.

People with dementia can find that unfamiliar situations become very
confusing and often they struggle with changes to their environment
and routines.

They may not perceive the environment or other people’s actions in the
same way as we do.


This may lead to uncharacteristic behaviour that is difficult to
understand and manage.

Behavioural Triggers

• Misunderstanding their environment
• Feeling frustrated at being unable to understand 
• Feeling frightened
• Decreased awareness of rules about appropriate behaviour

Behavioural Triggers

• Responding to what they feel to be over-controlling care
• Past history and experiences
• Being in pain, including chronic pain

Task 5 - Read through the case studies you have been given in small groups



Reflect on own experiences… have you seen something similar?



Agree between you what the best course of action could be.

Challenging behaviour

• Find ways to react calmly if behaviour
• Work out what triggers the behaviour
• Tackle the triggers
• Take time to manage your own feelings
• Be creative in finding alternative activities to help

Common Core Principle 6: Family members and other carers are valued, respected and supported just like those they care for and are helped to gain access to dementia care advice

Dementia can be a distressing condition as the person’s cognitive
abilities deteriorate, causing upset, frustration and/or embarrassment
for the person with dementia and for their family, friends and carers.

Common Core Principle 7: Managers need to take responsibility to ensure members of their team are trained and well supported to meet the needs of people with dementia.

Common Core Principle 8: Work as part of a multi-agency team to support the person with dementia.

MDT Working

• Ensure accuracy of information
• Establish open lines of communication
• Understand other organisations may have different priorities
• Understand others may not be fully aware of the aspects of dementia
• Involve the person with dementia and their family in any decisions

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