Supporting individuals with dementia
Gabrielle Elmes (497977) UNIT 40 TASK 3 Health and social care (level 3)
6/5/2020
P4-
Stan, who is going through early on-set frontotemporal lobe dementia, is going to be
going through a big emotional, social, psychological and practical impact on his life.
Stan might even describe these impacts as things he has lost in his life that once
held large importance and he has to adjust to the new constant changes. I am going
to be showing the roles and responsibilities of health and social workers in improving
Stan’s health and quality of life while living with dementia. It is important as Stan’s
health and social care worker to: provide person-centred care, safeguarding and
provide integrated care.
When Stan begins to notice that his mental abilities are beginning to decline, he
could become anxious and scared which leads to an increase of stress which is not
healthy for anyone. He may become aware of increased clumsiness because of this
and an inability to remember things which can be upsetting and overwhelming.
Health and social care workers, in this instance, can help Stan by helping to create a
daily routine for him that he constructs to suit his needs and life. This is an example
of applying person-centred care. His health and social care workers can then make
his routine into an easily readable timetable and discuss it with his teenage children
and wife. This will allow Stan to feel more secure and relaxed in his home
environment as he has a list of everything he needs to do which he created by
himself and at what time he is to do each task with the help of his health and social
care workers and family. This timetable will add structure and routine to his day as
well as independence so he does not get overwhelmed on what he is meant to be
doing or forgot to do but know where to look and to ask family members what to do if
he is unable to remember what he is meant to be doing adding a sense of security
that he is not alone and it is okay if he messes up because he knows where to go
and to ask his family if he forgets what is in his routine. Stan’s health and social care
workers should then check on the routine every couple of weeks to make sure it is
still catering to his changing needs as a person with dementia who has fluctuating
requirements and make adaptations when needed. The routine must not be pre-
made using examples of other people with dementia since Stan is an individual with
individual needs and it must be made to suit his own life and needs.
It is important for Stan's health and social care workers to involve Stan in everyday
tasks as well as in his care plan so he feels as though he has some sort of control
over what is happening in his own life and this is why person-centred care is used.
1
, The principles of person-centred care are based on ‘the human rights act’’ 1 allowing
the person with dementia to have the quality of life and have person-centred health
care. It is the obligation of the person caring for Stan to see him as a person first and
his dementia second. The health or social care worker should focus on Stan’s
strength and abilities so he is able to have the best quality of life as well as the best
health care. Health and social care workers should encourage Stan to continue to do
what he loves for quality of life. In addition to improving quality of life, health and
social care workers should find all possible ways to improve his health status with his
changing mental state while applying person-centred care involving help with his
care plan by asking him his preferences for health care.
The GP is responsible 2to inform Stan on things he should be doing to improve his
health like find a fitness class or to prescribe medications (through pharmacies) that
would remove the effects of some of the symptoms he may be experiencing. That
way he has a good quality of life and health. The GP could find out what Stan’s
hobbies are and help to find a form of exercise around what he likes doing to
promote better health. For example, if Stan finds joy in walking his dog with his
family, the GP could recommend going on two long dog walks with his family a day
to improve his health or if he is a social person, she could find groups of people with
dementia doing fun sporty activities he likes to do. It has been found that exercise
can help combat the changes going on in someone with dementia’s brain 3. So not
only will Stan be doing what he loves (quality of life) but his health will also be
promoted at the same time through help and organisation and prescription of
medication through the GP and pharmacist. The GP will also be in charge of
coordinating Stan’s dementia health care. This will improve his health care as the GP
will be able to design a person-centered care plan for Stan and refer him to the
clinics he needs which will then improve his quality of life.
Stan can seek the help of a psychiatrist service4 so he is able to express his feelings
about his illness in a safe space. This service provides a better quality of life as Stan
does not have to suffer alone with his emotions but he is able to express himself to a
health care professional who is able to provide coping mechanisms and calming
techniques as well as a person-centred care plan suiting Stan and his mental health
needs. Stan might not want to make his family upset so this service allows him to
express himself which improves his quality of life as he does not have to suffer or
1 "Dementia and Human Rights - Know your human rights."
https://knowyourhumanrights.co.uk/resources/BIHR_Mental_Health_Practitioner_Resource_Dementia
.pdf. Accessed 7 May. 2020.
2 "General practice should be placed at the centre of dementia ...." 29 Jun. 2016,
https://www.guidelinesinpractice.co.uk/mental-health/general-practice-should-be-placed-at-the-centre-
of-dementia-care/352803.article. Accessed 11 May. 2020.
3 "Aerobic Exercise May Protect Aging Brains from ... - Healthline." 18 Sep. 2019,
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/regular-exercise-may-help-delay-alzheimers-symptoms-from-
progressing. Accessed 7 May. 2020.
4 "Old age psychiatry | Health Careers - NHS Careers." https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-
roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/old-age-psychiatry. Accessed 11 May. 2020.
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