Connecting before Care
Jerry is a devoted husband, avid academic, and marathon runner living with dementia. On his last day of therapy his wife recorded us working on one of his goals. He was bed bound and often resisted care before occupational therapy. After working together for a week, he was able to brush his teeth, get dressed, comb his hair, and walk for 10-15 minutes at a time. A far cry from his best marathon days, but a step in the right direction! The key to his success was in the Positive Approach to Care.
Tips for a Successful Approach:
Visual cue at about 6 ft and wait for eye contact
Brief verbal cue or command and wait for understanding
Safe tactile prompt and wait for action
Notice there is A LOT of waiting! It takes longer for a person living with dementia to process information. When I prioritize our connection before I provide care, Jerry shines!