Once a month, I volunteer in a local care home; I regard the residents as true friends and genuinely enjoy my time with them. They’re a real mix – a range of personalities and interests and there are people who live in the dementia unit, as well as others who come along for the morning from other parts of the home.
Although it’s a good care home, I usually arrive at a quiet time, when it’s just the residents of the dementia unit and typically there’s no conversation going on. Speaking with each individual about topics that are relevant to them, everyone, in their own way, becomes engaged in the group. What’s very noticeable is that once the other residents arrive and conversation flows more, those with dementia often start to laugh along with any laughter going on in the room. Does it matter if they don’t know why they’re laughing? Well, I watch their faces and those smiles usually linger; the important thing is that they sense a happy mood and feel connected to it.
This can be achieved in hospitals, too. Quite a number of member hospitals facilitate gatherings for drinks; a table for people to sit at or be wheeled to serves two purposes – a social opportunity and a far greater likelihood that people will drink the whole of every drink they’re given.
My mum did far better during hospital stays if someone could be found for her to play dominoes with. Social engagement not only lifted her mood, but encouraged her to hydrate, do any physio required and eat well, whereas if left alone she was agitated, unhappy and tended to feel less inclined to finish off drinks and meals.
Sometimes, dementia care is a lot easier than people think. Invariably, the key thing is to look at what works for that individual – and very often making things right for them is quite straightforward, actually taking less staff time, rather than more.
My thanks go out to all the volunteer hospital visiting teams who provide very valuable socialisation to many patients, but can make an enormous difference to people living with dementia.