Dementia Care
Our approach to dementia care training and consulting support is based upon the person directed (social) model of care. This “best practice” approach to care assists facilities and staff to restructure their approach to the delivery of care for individuals with dementia, encouraging them to think outside of the “box” originally defined by the medical model. This approach to care empowers staff to put the resident first – to individualize care in a manner which capitalizes upon the needs, interest, routines, preferences and remaining strengths and abilities of the resident with dementia – rather than focuses upon problems and limitations.
The person centered approach to dementia care also suggests that each event, encounter and exchange in a resident's daily life has the potential to be of meaning, regardless of context. Activities of daily living, nutrition, hydration, homemaking and leisure/recreation are each potential opportunities for meaningful engagement, continuity of life roles and routines and/or simple enjoyment.
Through resident directed approaches to care, residents are supported in their efforts to retain existing abilities for the greatest length of time possible. Moreover, in addition to enhanced resident care, facilities may expect to realize cost savings through reduced resident to resident altercations, reduced Workers Compensation claims (resulting from resident to staff altercations), and reduced staff turnover and associated retraining expenses.