Understanding Dementia

Dementia changes the way an individual responds to people and situations and at times these behavioural changes can be challenging for family members and carers¹. It is important to remember who the person is and what they get pleasure from as doing this allows opportunity for activities they derive pleasure or enjoyment from. Recent literature highlights the importance of creating meaningful experiences with people living with dementia and using a Montessori approach².

People with dementia may not respond to the death of a loved one in the way others do, this is due to the cognitive issues that impact on their short-term memory and ability to remember names³. However, this does not mean they do not experience a sense of loss and grief. In fact they are likely to experience that immediate sense of loss each time they are made aware of the death. Failure to support a person with dementia to process their grief can lead to increased anxiety and stress as they may remember someone has died and be unable to recall the exact person².
 

 

 

 

 

 

References

1. Alzheimer’s Australia. What is dementia? http://www.fightdementia.org.au/default.aspx
2. Alzhiemer’s Australia, Relate, motivate, appreciate: AN introduction to Montessori activities. https://fightdementia.org.au/sites/default/files/AlzheimersAustralia_A5_Montessori_Booklet_WEB%283%29.pdf
3. Lewis, MM & Trzinski, AL, 2006, Counseling older adults with dementia who are dealing with death: Innovative interventions for practitioners, Death Studies, 30:*, 777-787.