Covid and the challenges for people with dementia As we head, seemingly inevitably, towards the longfeared ‘second wave’ of this Coronavirus, the threat of infection remains very real and it seems unlikely that life will fully return to normal any time soon. Those sunny summer hopes of this all being over by Christmas have now been let go. Whilst all of us may be anxious, carers and people with dementia may be feeling particularly so. Families and carers may also be in a position where a lot has changed in their own personal lives in addition to the added worries of caring for someone with Dementia. Our own Lockdown procedures at Clifden House have allowed families to visit their relatives in safety at the home, which has provided some much sought for relief as friends and loved ones catch up and reassure themselves about the health and safety of each other. However, true face-to-face services and other sources of support will take much longer to resume, and it is important to gauge any underlying stress and anxiety arising as a result. Just as we are told when listening to the safety procedures in an aircraft, remember to put on your own oxygen mask before attending to others. We can all best help those we love once we have ensured that we are of strong mind and body, after a rather trying year.
Supporting from a distance
If you are supporting someone with dementia who lives on their own, they may have difficulty understanding what has changed in terms of Lockdown restrictions. It is important to keep in touch with them, taking your time to explain changes and make information available to them in a simple and accessible way. Sometimes, when appropriate we repeat the information to residents so that they can move towards an understanding. Our team members are wearing masks and protective equipment throughout their shifts and are now more than used to the funny comments from residents and once again gently explaining why they are dressed up this way.
42
People with dementia may also lack awareness of, and be less able to, report coronavirus symptoms because of communication difficulties – you should be alert to any signs of symptoms of the virus in the person you are supporting. We regularly take temperatures and other assessments of our residents and look out for other symptoms. Not all patients may want to be tested, or understand the intrusion, but we continue to work on ways of cooperating with each individual on how best to deliver their care.
Routine
There are still restrictions in place throughout the UK, and the situation is very changeable. If you are able, reintroducing parts of your old routine to your Lockdown routine and keeping active can provide some comfort, stability and improved mental health and wellbeing. Try to do some of the things you enjoy. Taking our residents for a simple walk around the garden can bring back lovely memories whilst getting a breath of fresh air. You know what your relative likes best, so try to stick to things they know and enjoy, and are manageable in this time of unrest.
Keep in touch
Do you have family and friends that can help you? It is important to keep in touch with your support network. We find that keeping in touch with all our residents’ families and loved ones is vitally important. During Lockdown we are in regular contact with families to let them know how their loved ones were doing. Clifden House Dementia Care Centre has been delivering exceptional residential and respite care for 50 years. It aims to maximise each individual’s potential through choice, reducing the use of unnecessary medication and alleviating the symptoms of dementia in a caring and supportive environment.
Follow us on Facebook for more dementia care advice www.clifdenhouse.co.uk 01323 896460
Please mention Seaford Scene when contacting advertisers
