Every Mile a Memory Sharing life with individuals with dementia as a journey and not a destination Life is a highway and Every Mile a Memory Taking a look at the journey of individuals with Dementia and those who travel the road with them ID: 621131
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Life is a Highway &" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Life is a Highway &
Every Mile a Memory
Sharing life with individuals with dementia as a journey and not a destinationSlide2
Life is a highway and Every Mile a Memory
Taking a look at the journey of individuals with Dementia and those who travel the road with them.Slide3
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a loss of intellectual functions of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms which may accompany certain diseases or physical conditionsSlide4
What is Alzheimer’s Disease
A
degenerative brain disease of unknown cause that is the most common form of dementia.Usually starts in late middle age or in old age.It
results in progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, disorientation, and changes in personality and mood.(Dementia)It leads in to a profound decline in cognitive and physical functioning.It is marked by the degeneration of brain neurons
and by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and plaques containing beta-amyloidSlide5
Normal Brain FunctionSlide6
So… all actions/behaviors begin with a perception.
Normal Traffic Patterns in the brain becomes disrupted when individuals have Alzheimer’s Disease.
Normal Traffic PatternsSlide7
Traffic Patterns
in Individuals with Dementia
The “roads” or pathways are damaged and eventually are closed to traffic.Slide8
Roads/Pathways are closed due to the formation of plaque and tangles
Perception – Memory - ActionNeurons inside the brain of someone with Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease
Information cannot be received properlyA memory cannot be formed or interpreted Consequently the behavior may not be appropriateSlide9
A Digital Map of the Aging Brain could aid the
diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
A
Digital Map of the
Aging Brain
could aid the
diagnosis
of
Alzheimer's
disease
Brain scans of normal older adults were compared to brain scans of individuals with Cognitive Impairment.
The atlas was able to pinpoint changes in patients brain structure that can be an underlying sign of Alzheimer's DiseaseSlide10
Our brain – The Super Highway
Our brain is like a super highway, full speed ahead, merging traffic, passing
lanes, traffic jams and the occasional rest stops..For those individuals with Alzheimer's disease, the brain changes, the superhighway shuts down and avenues that were familiar may now become a dead end. They may have to explore alternate routesSlide11
Alternate RoutesSlide12
Using Procedural Memory as the Alternate Route
Also known as Implicit or the "know how memory”
Knowing how without being able to explain how.Procedural memory remains robust in the face of early memory loss and even into dementia. This means that a task or activity that has been repeated or practiced over and over can be remembered. Slide13
Life is a Highway..I want to ride it all night long.
Entering the world of DementiaSlide14
This is going to be a difficult journey.
I will need help and understanding from those who are taking this ride with me.
Alzheimer’s
DementiaSlide15
The DriverThe Resident
The driver may not be able to go as fast as he/she would like to go.
The driver may be fearful of getting lost on this road less traveled.The driver may know that regardless of their driving skills, they may have to stop now and then and ask for directions.The driver may become frustrated and angry and this may lead to “road rage”Slide16
The Road Map
The life story
Every individual has their own road map
This road map is their personal history.The map shows where they have been, what they have seen, the places and
the things they have enjoyed and the people they have met along the wa
y.
Every Mile a Memory!!Slide17
The GPSThe Care or Support PlanSlide18
The Co-pilot
(Family and Staff)The driver should have an understanding co-pilot.
The co-pilot can take over when the driver starts to feel tired . When the driver is exhausted they know they can let someone else drive for a while. The Co-pilot should be following the same GPS as the driver.The Co-pilot recognizes when the vehicle is “overheating” , knows when to stop and allow the vehicle to “cool off”The Co-pilot always needs to be willing and able to learn new ways and not be afraid to try a new road, when the road on which they are traveling becomes bumpy
.Slide19
Knowledge – Knowing the way
Getting an understanding of what lies ahead on this journey
Before you can be a co-pilot and get behind the wheel you will need some driving education. Knowledge is Power.
Knowledge is the fuel needed to keep moving forward. Without knowledge you may simply run out of gas.You should top off your tank daily by reading an article, watching a short video, taking a class, or talking to an individual with dementia or their family.As your knowledge grows, your confidence builds and you will be better prepared to handle the curves ahead.Slide20
10 Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning and problem solvingDifficulty completing familiar tasksConfusion about dates and time
Trouble with spacial imagesWord finding difficultiesMisplacing things and loss of ability to retrace steps
Poor judgment – more vulnerableWithdrawal from social eventsChanges in mood and personalitySlide21
Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Dementia
One Way – Their Way!!!Mild Cognitive Impairment
Use old habits and routines to get byCover up their mistakesGet angry at others
Fears getting “found out”Likes being valuedLikes to tell old storiesLikes to let you know who they are and where they have been
Likes to give to othersDoes not adapt well to change
Teepa
Snow; gems of caregivingSlide22
Early to Middle Stages of
Alzheimer’s Dementia
They believe they have the “Right of Way” and don’t want “back seat drivers” telling them what to do !!
Depression is commonCognitive loss may only be noticed by family and close friendsRepeats or skips stepsFears being disrespectedGets lost in time and space
Mis-remembers, so makes things up to fill in the holesWants to be in the actionWants to help or superviseMakes mistakes in social settingsWants to talk about the pastRepetitive questions and stories
Teepa
Snow; gems of caregivingSlide23
Middle Stages of
Alzheimer’s Dementia
CAUTION: Not always aware of danger or risk SAFETY BECOMES AN ISSUE !
In the momentInto touch, fiddling and “getting into stuff”Not aware of the “big picture”Not aware of how their actions affect othersLike what they like and avoids what they don’t
Always in motionAll about explorationAll about sensationsChange in reasoning skillsDis-inhibitionWithdrawal from social events
Teepa
Snow; gems of caregivingSlide24
Middle to Late Stages of
Alzheimer’s Dementia
FULL SPEED AHEAD OR STOPPED
Seldom stays still unless totally exhaustedBig movement – loss of fine motor skillsRepetitive words Repetitive actions and movementWord soup
Loss of depth perceptionStartles easilyMay not remember names of family members or friends
Teepa
Snow; gems of caregivingSlide25
Late Stages of Alzheimer’s Dementia
Moments of Clarity !!Limited MovementReactions can be extremeNeeds stimulationLimited awareness of the world around them
Responds to tactile stimulationChanges in sleeping patternsSlow to respond
Teepa Snow; gems of caregivingSlide26