There are thousands of Healthcare Professionals that create plans for Personal & Mental Health Care, Daily Engagement, Life Enrichment, and Continuity in a variety of settings for Seniors who Live with Dementia, based on environment, access to tools, time constrictions and budgets in which they work, but this is not the same environment that the Seniors Live in daily even though the location is the same, and this can contribute to failure in giving each resident or client a community of life that can be enjoyable.
I read articles about new programs and centers developed for the purpose to provide a surrounding to Seniors that will allow them to continue to be an active person in the community, it is written in some of these articles that this is key, or the only way to allow all of our residents to continue to be a part of the community, this program, or this center can add longevity and an extended life with happiness and the feeling of still being seen as a person. Is this possible? Absolutely.
When It Does Not Work.
When the Healthcare Professional that is responsible for creating and developing, or providing data to these activities, programs and centers are limited to the reality of a Senior Living with Dementia morning, afternoon, evening, and late night cognitive level, or mood based on the time of day it is, and understanding how that time of day or mood will play a role in how that Senior participates or do not participate in programs when this vital part of the Senior is unknown.
Unaware of the type of Dementia each person in a group have been diagnosed with, these systems that are developed with great intention to help and be meaningful, can actually be harmful, when this vital information is unknown.
Can a resident or client with Vascular Dementia get the same intended purpose from a particular activity, program and center environment that a resident or client with Mixed Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Frontotemporal Dementia, or Young-onset Dementia? These five types of Dementia are the most common diagnoised , and Seniors that have been diagnoised with them are jointly living together in the same residential facilities and residential home settings, and they are being included in the same activities, programs, and center visits. Why?
I can offer based on thousands of direct experiences why this does not work, but I am also realistic in understanding that this may be an impossible fix, but it can have better results.
When Making An Effort Is Better Than Finding An Answer.
With the number of scenarios that this topic can have, it is impossible to come up with a sure answer or solution, so terms like, "this is the only way", "we have evidence that this works" "this is the change needed" are terms that can imply an expectation that is unreachable for most Seniors who Live With Dementia, and the results are unsatisfied spouses and extended family.
With Effort the rate of purpose and intention can increase, when honesty is the policy.
Make an Effort in having Prepared Staff
Make an Effort to Educate & Train more
Make an Effort to have More Commonality in Senior Groups, it's not Discrimination.
Make an Effort to recognize the Difference in the Types of Dementia
Make an Effort in Resident Living Selection (If you do not have the staff that fits the expectation needs recommend a facility or center that does) Honesty.
Make an Effort for Them