Impact of dementia on personhood and family

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.  It is not one specific disease.  Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks.  Brain function is affected enough to interfere with the person’s normal social or working life ¹.

 

It is estimated that 1 in 8 people over 65 years has dementia increasing to 50% of those 80 year and older ² – is it a cluster of disorders that greatly impact on society.  The World Health Organisation has indicted that in 2010 the global societal cost was approximately US$604 billion, which corresponds to 1% of the worldwide gross domestic product ³ and it has been identified as a public health priority ⁴. Whilst this data can create a sense of impending doom it is really important to remember the person and their family in all of this.

 

The impact of dementia on family and significant others can be overwhelming due to the physical, emotional and economic pressures it can create ³. A significant number of people who have dementia also develop depression and those in residential aged care are at particular risk ⁵. It is important to support the person with dementia as they come to terms with their disease and  prognosis.

 

The dementia process can change the way the individual responds to people and situations and such behaviour changes can be challenging for family members, particularly if the person is displaying disinhibited or challenging behaviour. Each person will be different and it is important to acknowledge that the behaviour could be caused by changes in the brain or it could be a means of communication. Due to dementia the individual may not be able to articulate how they are feeling or what they are thinking and the behaviour can be a response to this.  So it is really important to try and determine the reason for the behaviour and minimise the level of anxiety the person may feel. Having a good understanding of the whole person including their past history and interests as well as current situation (medical, psychological and social) helps to decipher and understand their behaviour. Moreover, recognising and valuing the person can help them maintain their sense of self or personhood.
 

 

 

 

 

References

1. Alzheimer’s Australia. What is dementia? http://www.fightdementia.org.au/default.aspx
2. Stettinius M. Inside the dementia epidemic: A daughter’s memoir. Horseheads NY: Dundee-Lakemont Press. 2012.
3. World Health Organisation. Dementia. Fact Sheet No362. www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs362/en/
4. World Health Organisation. Dementia: a public health priority. 2012. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/75263/1/9789241564458_eng.pdf?ua=1
5. Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia and depression. http://www.fightdementia.org.au/services/depression–dementia.aspx