Well-being through “Person-centered living for Person’s Living with Dementia”

Art and Science of Aging Conference 2015

Presented by: Chris Simons

Who is the person living with dementia?

Do you know someone living with dementia?

What is it like to have dementia?

What is dementia?• Dementia is a shift in the way a person

experiences the world around him/her• This connects us not separates us• It helps keep our focus on the whole person

not the disease• Dementia is a change in ability• We need to support person’s living with

dementia • We need to change our approach

What does well-being mean to you?

What is well-being

• Autonomy• Growth• Connectedness• Meaning• Joy• Security• Identity

Autonomy

• Choice • Freedom• Liberty• Self-governance• Self-determination

Identity

• Being well-known• Having personhood• Individuality• Wholeness• Having a history

Security

• Freedom from doubt• Anxiety• Fear• Safe• Having privacy• Dignity

Joy

• Happiness• Pleasure• Delight• Contentment• Enjoyment

Meaning

• Significance• Heart• Hope• Value• Purpose

Connectedness

• State of being connected• Belonging• Engaged• Involved (not detached)• Connected to the past, present, and future• Connected to personal possessions• Connected to place

Growth

• Development• Enrichment• Unfolding• Expanding• Evolving

Person-centered care/living

• Person-centered care is a philosophy that recognizes that individuals have unique values, personal history and personality and that each person has an equal right to dignity, respect, and to participate fully in his/her environment.

• It is more than a buzz word. It is individualized approaches and relationships.

What would person-centered care be for you?

Ways to enhance a person’s life that has dementia

• Listen• Know the persons life story• Connect by common experiences• Be a friend• Respect the person’s past• Provide activities that are meaningful• Provide unconditional love

References

“ Well-being: Beyond quality of Life” the Metamorphosis of Eldercare”.“ Dementia Beyond Disease” Enhancing Well-being”. Dr. Al Power“Person-centered Care for People with dementia” Generations, Journal of the American Society on Aging. Fall 2013, volume 37, no. 3