Believe or Not Believe Someone with Dementia

by Jacqueline Jadidian

Springfield, MO— Working in healthcare for 15 years I have had a lot of encounters and firsthand experience of directly and indirectly working with people that had/have dementia. One of the learning curves that I had to learn early on as an administrator in long-term care was when to believe someone with Alzheimer’s that voiced a concern, and how to distinguish during the investigation reality and facts versus their “reality”.

Any healthcare organization/ agency that is responsible in some way of taking care of patients with dementia must do a diligent job of investigating whenever a person with the disease voices concern of any form of abuse/harassment/ neglect/retaliation. I have noticed ability to focus. Reduce these time suckers and use that time to explore new hobbies, exercise, or meditate.

3. Eat slower. Do you speed through your meal? You are missing the chance to appreciate food’s textures and flavors. Chew slower, enjoy your food, and experience the food’s smell, taste, and texture.

4. Sit for a moment before starting your computer. Those moments of quieting your mind can set the tone for the rest of your day. Close your eyes and take some deep breaths before jumping into your work.

5. Get out and enjoy nature. Take a 5-10 minute break to step outside and breathe fresh air. Leave the phone behind, unplug that healthcare professionals sometimes brush aside concerns voiced by a person with dementia, especially if the disease is progressed. Sometimes these professionals tend to get into a rut of thinking the person with the disease is making up the story or embellishing what is factual. As a family member, caregiver, and ex-administrator I have always pushed for every person that has the disease for a few moments, and admire the beauty and sounds of nature.

6. Give yourself more time. Do you stick to a tight schedule and plan every aspect of your day? Next time you write in your planner, factor in a few extra minutes to complete your task. Doing this will help you not to feel rushed.

7.Remember your goals and aspirations. Each morning when you wake up, take a few moments to think about your life goals and aspirations. Recall the milestones you’ve already reached and your drive to achieve new ones. Try doing this for five minutes before getting out of bed to start your day. It will make a big difference in your day.

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Don’t get me wrong, there are many times that the complaint is not substantiated. However, the outcome of those unsubstantiated investigations led to discussion for improvement of care either by the healthcare

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