What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, such as memory loss, problems with reasoning and communication, and change in personality. Dementia is often diagnosed when these symptoms cause a reduction of a person’s ability to carry out their normal daily activities. The most common forms of dementia are: Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Parkinsons Related Dementia. Dementia is typically a progressive condition. This progression will vary from person to person. Each individual will experience dementia in a different way.
What Type of Care is Needed?
Providing care and support for the individual with Dementia is complex.
- Coordination of care and support between different services is critical
- It is important to determine what help and support the caregivers need and how this should be provided
- If placement in a specialized and supportive environment is indicated, it is extremely important to be sure the staff is trained appropriately to meet the needs of the individual dealing with the Dementia diagnosis, as well as the family members impacted
The Dementia Consultation provided by Dansa Senior Services includes the following:
Initial Assessment Prior to Formal Diagnosis
At the initial assessment, we will take a history (including cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, and the impact these symptoms are having on their daily life).
We will have this discussion with the person with suspected dementia, if possible, as well as with someone who knows the person well (such as a family member).
After a signed Medical Release, we will gather clinical information from a recent physical examination to include appropriate blood and urine tests to exclude reversible causes of cognitive decline.
We will refer the person (or family) to a Neurologist or specialist dementia diagnostic service (such as a memory clinic or community old age psychiatry service) if both:
- reversible causes of cognitive decline including delirium, depression, sensory impairment (e.g., sight or hearing loss) or cognitive impairment from medicines associated with increased anticholinergic burden have been investigated
- dementia is still suspected
Review After Diagnosis
We will attempt to involve people living with dementia in the decisions about their care whenever possible. We will use “Person-Centered Care” by trying to encourage and enable people living with dementia as well as their caregivers to give their own views and opinions about their care. We will also encourage them to be part of the decision-making if possible.
Providing Information
We will provide people living with dementia and their family members or caregivers (as appropriate) with information that is relevant to their circumstances and the stage of their condition.
After a medical diagnosis, we will offer the person and their family members or caregivers (as appropriate) oral and written information that explains:
- Their dementia subtype (if known) and the changes to expect as their condition progresses.
- Suggested healthcare professionals and social care teams that would be helpful to involve in their care and how to contact them.
- How dementia affects driving (when and if appropriate). It is a requirement that they tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and their car insurer about their dementia diagnosis
- Their legal rights and responsibilities
We will make available information & referral regarding the following groups and how they can help (including contact information when available):
- Local support groups, online forums, and national charities
- Financial and legal advice services
- Advocacy services
Care Coordination
Provide people living with dementia with a recommended health or social care professional who can be responsible for coordinating their care.
Professionals should:
- arrange an initial assessment of the person’s needs, which should be face to face if possible
- provide information about available services and how to access them
- involve the person’s family members or caregivers (as appropriate) in support and decision-making
- give special consideration to the views of people who do not have the capacity to make decisions about their care.
- ensure that people are aware of their rights to and the availability of local advocacy services, and if appropriate to the immediate situation an independent mental capacity advocate
- develop a care and support plan