Dementia Care

Losing control over the mind is one of modernity's greatest fears. Controversially, I have to say that although it is undoubtedly a difficult condition, I'm not as worried as before I worked with people with Dementia.

Dementia is the overall condition of de-mentia (loss of mind) and comes in forms such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Pick's and Huntingdon's diseases. It can also be temporary, caused by medication conflict, depression and alcohol abuse.

The better it is understood, the better it can be managed and, since Jeremy Hunt has just pledged £50, 000 000 to the battle with Dementia, it seems that people are starting to take notice. The RCN has also published a film and guide for hospitals based around "patient-centered care". This is a jargon phrase I detest because I think it's just glamorizing what should be an instinct for everyone.

It goes like this: everyone is individual and needs their own special passport to take around so people understand them better. 

Surely the fact that everyone's condition (especially when it comes to the mind) is different is a given? That people should be talked to so that health care professionals can understand what they need is sensible. Then patients wont be given needless treatment and will be supported in the best way possible. However, I'm sure a lot of people will remember a GP telling them that they are sending them for this or that because it's procedure and losing trust that a patient may actually know what they need. I remember going to the doctor once for sickness and being made to do a pregnancy test because the GP wouldn't believe I wasn't sexually active (I was 21 at the time so it wasn't like I was a frightened kid who had any reason to lie). However, while I hate the phrase, it's good that the importance is being emphasized.

Back to Dementia. It has so many symptoms alongside memory loss, including lack of ability to judge size and shape, lack of attention span, loss of communication skills and emotional control. These explain issues like difficulties moving around, thinking there's a step when there isn't, incomplete repetitive action and outbursts.

I have a theory that people with memory loss live moment by moment so each moment should be made as positive as possible not thinking that they wont remember in a minute so it doesn't matter how they're treated. It may be so difficult to explain to someone for the 25th time that morning that they went to the toilet a minute ago but hold onto the idea that they are still very much there inside.

A poem from a nurse: film by Amanda Waring, starring Virginia Mckenna - interview here

Also, I think that if the overall emotion with each moment is positive, the general mood of the patient will improve. I'm not meaning denial but an approach where the patient knows there is support and people who will be honest about what is happening but also that they can have help. I've seen huge emotional progress from people who are deteriorating in every other way but they have support and a feeling of safety. 
This may be horribly unscientific but it helps me have hope.

A word for the inspirational untrained carers who support loved ones who have Dementia. It is where I have seen the worst and the best sides of humanity and the courage and dedication some of these people have leaves me speechless. Thank you.

On a lighter note, have a look at this spoof news article on MPs and their plans for reform: Jeremy Hunt to open world's first placebo hospital.

Fear of the Unknown

As I prepare to become a student nurse, I find myself suffering from neophobia. You would think that with my years as a carer, I'd feel prepared. I've ordered my books, opened my student account, closed the two extra accounts the bank accidentally opened for me, I've even rearranged my study.

My fear mostly manifests as the fear that I will get decidophobia (fear of making decisions) or, even worse, nosocomephobia (fear of hospitals).

 It's been months since I met my tutor for the first time and the other student nurses. It's a good mix of ages, although the older ones are slightly more sporadic. There was also a mix of personalities. Popular girls still cause a quake in my knees and within half an hour the oddball had revealed themself - this is going to be an interesting course!

 Mayhem and muse found my mantra. I'm sticking this up on my wall to inspire me each day. Although maybe this video (found while researching) will make me love the unknown instead of fearing it:

 

 P.S. my favourite phobia - omphalophobia (fear of bellybuttons!)