Respect and dignity is an important part of seeing the person first and dementia second and is an area that many of us want to see improved.
Dementia is an intellectual disability and is unique amongst all disabilities because the person with it does not know they possess the disability.
Do we appreciate the strengths of someone with dementia, or do we just concentrate on their weaknesses, their inability to do the things they used to do and now can’t remember?
People with dementia have the right to be valued, respected and to say No without being labelled as being uncooperative.
They also have the right to a life as rich and varied as our own – it is up to us to give them that quality of life.
I understand how traumatic it can be for the families of those living with dementia. You need to know how can you best support your loved one? What will happen to them as the condition progresses and who is there to support the Carer during this difficult time? How can you communicate effectively with your loved one? These are probably the questions you have asked yourself but is there anyone there to give you the answers that is where the role of the Admiral Nurse fits as they enable the Carer to be emotionally strong and cope with whatever comes their way.
They do not come and sort out a crisis then leave but are there to support the Carer so that the person with dementia can stay at home and be cared for by their loved one for as long as possible.
I hope people will step up to this challenge and do whatever is in their power to make a difference.