need some direction...

[Courtney Johnson]

I have a volunteer that is having a hard time with a patient who has dementia. Does anyone know of a good website or have a handout that I can give her to help her with some ideas and tips on working with this patient. I have given her a few ideas that have not been helpful.

 

Thank you!

 

Courtney Johnson

[Kremena Borislavova Kirilova]

The best thing that the volunteer can do is to be patient and consistent. It is hard to work with patients with dementia but it depends of their personal health and responsiveness. It will be great if the volunteer try to learn more about the patient medical condition and probably this will help him or her to understand better the moods and the actions of the patient.

Thank you

Kremena

[Sarah Hamel]

Hi Courtney-

I have an excellent resource:

www.dementiacarefoundation.org  they have amazing suggestions both for volunteers and family.  I have found their site extremely helpful.

 

[Courtney Johnson]

Wow... Thank you so much Sarah!!! This website is excellent...

[Sarah Hamel]

I feel so lucky to have found it, so I am more than happy to pass it on!

[Tina Sherlock]

Dementia patients can sometimes be the biggest challenge.  I am an aide and deal with dementia patients on a daily basis.  I can tell you this; these patients are my biggest challenge to over come because they are different each day.  One day they are my best friend and the next, they throw me out before I can even pass on my first smile.  In my own experience, I have found that it's sometimes best to follow "their cue" for the day.  Of course this usually doesn't go along with the care I had planned, BUT it's best for them.  Let them rant and rave for a few minutes and go along with it, then, maybe try a redirection of some sort.  Sometimes just the offering of a cold drink of water can change the whole attitude.  Sometimes not.  Just go with it, and be patient and do not show your frustrations.  Your biggest challenge can end up being your biggest victory with time and patience. Even if only ONE visit out of 5 is productive, just know that you've made a difference in their life, if only for a moment.

[Courtney Johnson]

Thank you all for all of your help!!! I love the websites Greg!!!

Courtney

[Courtney Johnson]

Thank you so much Francisca!!! That was very helpful. I went to the local Alzheimer's Association and picked up some reading material for her... :)

[Sondra C. Papatsoris, MSW]

I can understand how your volunteer may be feel as though her patient is struggling but it sounds like it's the volunteer that is having a struggle. Dementia patients can "wax and wane" in thoughout their disease process. If she doesn't want the Bible read to her or she is making other interpretations of it that are frightening her, then your volunteer should just meet her where she is at that day... The patient may come back around or never go back to that place again with the volunteer...Sounds like more teaching about dementia would be appropriate.

[Greg Schneider]

I agree with Sondra.

Here are some places for more information on dementia and suggestions on how caregivers can deal with it:

Deal With Delusions and Dementia

Patience Is What You Need While Dealing With Dementia Patients

Dealing With Dementia

These will give the volunteer some perspective.

Greg Schneider
President, HVA
HCF Creator

[Ginger Askew]

Has she tried playing music from the patient's era, or coloring (not children's pictures but geometric shapes)? I would suggest taking the coloring with and the volunteer starting out doing it herself and see what the response is.