When Irene first arrived at the long-term care (LTC) facility, her behaviour puzzled and unsettled the staff. Though she wasn’t angry or aggressive, her unusual actions were unlike anything they had encountered before. Some described her behaviour as “spooky” or “eerie.” For instance, Irene would often be seen self-propelling her wheelchair up and down the halls, crying in a way that could only be described as a “howl” or a “lament.”
Nothing seemed to work. Irene refused to cooperate with any requests, making it incredibly challenging to support her. On rare occasions, she seemed to grasp the conversation, but most of the time, she appeared absent, saying things that made no sense. Her haunting cries disturbed the other residents and unsettled some of the staff. Irene was living with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Maintaining Professionalism and Applying Dementia Care Approaches
One morning, “Cecilia,” another PSW, was assigned to care for Irene. Despite hearing the unsettling stories, Cecilia relied on her training and prepared herself mentally for the encounter.
She started by respectfully knocking on Irene’s door as she would any other resident in the home. She calmly walked closer to Irene who was still in bed so Irene could see her better, and so that she too, could make eye contact with Irene.
She calmly approached her with a smile, introducing herself and explaining her presence. In a gentle, confident voice, she said, “Good morning, Irene. My name is Cecilia. I’m going to turn on the lights now.”
Irene remained calm, and Cecilia noticed a flicker of recognition in her eyes when the lights came on. Seizing the moment, Cecilia whispered, “Did you have a good sleep? Are you okay with me helping you get ready for breakfast? It’s almost 7:30 am.”
Although Irene seemed confused and unresponsive, she seemed to remain calm. Cecilia continued explaining what she would do next, mindful that Irene disliked having her face washed or receiving assistance with oral hygiene due to her previous self-biting injuries.
As Cecilia prepared the materials for Irene’s care, she started humming a familiar church song, knowing that Irene likes this type of music. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…,” softly singing as she began washing Irene’s face. To her surprise and delight, Irene didn’t resist. Irene even smiled and very clearly said in response to Cecilia’s singing, “That’s nice. I like that.”
Irene did not refuse! Hooray!
Morning care proceeded smoothly, much quicker than Cecilia had anticipated, with Irene cooperating throughout. When Cecilia asked, “Are you hungry?” Irene replied, “Yes. I’m hungry, but I don’t have money.”
Cecilia’s heart raced with this unexpected success in the conversation. She calmly responded, “Guess what? Breakfast is free! It’s Tuesday, and it’s bacon day!”
Irene smiled, got into her wheelchair, and Cecilia accompanied her to the dining room. Irene even asked clearly for coffee with milk and sugar. She remained calm and happy for the rest of Cecilia’s 12-hour shift.
Why Awareness and Education is Crucial in Dementia Care
There is always a reason behind the behaviour. Even when the cause isn’t clear, caregivers can find creative ways to connect with the person and continue providing the care they need. As hard as it may be, no one living with dementia should ever be denied care due to their changed behaviour. It’s important to find solutions and seek expert help when needed.
This story highlights the stark difference between frontline workers lacking awareness and training in recognizing and managing dementia-related behaviors and those who are well-prepared with the right calming approaches. While Irene initially seemed difficult to work with, Cecilia’s training and professional and welcoming morning approach made all the difference.
By remaining calm, and professional, and applying her dementia care training, Cecilia not only fulfilled her duties as a PSW but also made the experience less traumatizing for both herself and Irene. This successful encounter left Cecilia feeling professionally fulfilled, knowing she had helped Irene (and others) have a pleasant and relaxed day.
Most importantly, for Irene, this day was a good day—perhaps one of her better days. Sometimes it starts with a good morning wake-up, using the calming approaches that are effective. Caring for someone living with dementia isn’t always easy. However, when we can see how our approach can make a positive difference, resulting in more good days, it’s worth it to not give up trying.
If you have concerns about a client/resident, a loved one, or a friend and don’t know what to do, please reach out and ask for help. You are not alone. We can help by brainstorming creative ideas with you that will best suit your situation. Begin by contacting us through our website www.DementiaSolutions.ca to arrange your free 20-minute consultation with one of our Dementia Care Advisors.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is based on a true story; however, names, locations, and certain events have been altered to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The contents of this blog are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional.
