| EFFECTIVE DEMENTIA CARE
• “Person-centered”
• Comprehensive assessment of a resident's abilities/needs
• Care planning and provision
• Strategies for addressing behavioral and communication changes
• Appropriate staffing patterns
• Environment that fosters community |
Food and Fluid Consumption
To maintain proper nutrition and hydration, avoid health complications, and promote
mealtimes as enjoyable activities. |
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing, or changes in swallowing abililty
• Poor utensil use
• Refusing substitutions
• Low attentiveness to a meal or wandering away during the meal
• More than 25 percent of food uneaten during a meal |
• Evaluate cause of swallowing difficulties
• Engage residents in the mealtime experience and stimulate appetite
• Encourage residents to function independently whenever possible
• Provide a pleasant, familiar dining environment free of distractions
• Prepare food to maximize acceptance |
Pain Management
To ease distress associated with pain, improve quality of life, prevent behavioral
symptoms, and unnecessary use of psychotropic drugs. |
• Site of pain
• Type of pain
• Effect of pain on the person
• Pain triggers
• Acute or chronic pain
• Positive and negative consequences of treatment |
• PREVENTION of pain
• Non-pharmacological approach (i.e. relaxation, physical activities,
superficial heating)
• Analgesics or narcotic pain medications (Consider side effects,
including those affecting dementia and cognitive functioning)
• Appropriate referrals |
Social Engagement and Meaningful Activities
To offer opportunities for providing a context with personal meaning, a sense of community,
choices and fun. |
• Capacity for physical movement
• Capacity for mental stimulation
• Interest in social interaction
• Desire and ability to participate in religious and spiritual practices
• Cultural values and appreciation
• Various specific recreational interests and preferences |
• Design interactions to do with—not to
or for—the resident
• Make available activity materials
• Encourage residents to use their remaining skills in daily activities
• Provide chances for involvement in the community
• Acknowledge that some residents with dementia experience increased confusion, agitation and movement in the early evening
• Consider the resident's level of functioning, group dynamics, and overall mood |