Reablement for people living with dementia
Wondering how wellness and reablement apply when working with people living with dementia?
These free resources developed by Hammond Care explore how home care providers can support independence and function in people living with dementia.
- Consumer Booklet. An information booklet of reablement programs for people impacted by dementia.
- Sector and Service Provider Handbook. Written primarily for service providers, allied health professionals, nurses managers, care workers, and others with an interest in improving function.
- Technical Handbook: A technical guide to the evidence supporting reablement interventions.
In addition, check out these great information ‘7 Tips’ pages developed by Dementia Australia. They provide practical tips for each level of care for persons living with dementia, and show how a little support makes a lot of difference.
Go to the ‘7 Tips’ pages here:
- 7 tips for supporting carers
- 7 tips to support people living with dementia
- 7 tips for living well with dementia
- 7 tips for looking after yourself
- 7 tips for healthcare professionals
Looking for more evidence?
A comprehensive approach to reablement in dementia.
As society grapples with an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of disability, “reablement” as a means of maximizing functional ability in older people is emerging as a potential strategy to help promote independence. Reablement offers an approach to mitigate the impact of dementia on function and independence.
In the absence of a cure or ability to significantly modify the course of the disease, the message for policymakers, practitioners, families, and persons with dementia needs to be “living well with dementia”, with a focus on maintaining function for as long as possible, regaining lost function when there is the potential to do so, and adapting to lost function that cannot be regained.
Service delivery and care of persons with dementia must be reoriented such that evidence-based reablement approaches are integrated into routine care across all sectors.
To read the full article by Chris Poulos and colleagues, click here.
Exercise and Dementia
Over the last few years, there has been some exciting research emerging about the impact of exercise on dementia.
Bartle and Behrens 2017
Creating the best environment for
reablement to occur
A reablement program could be a good opportunity to review other aspects of the person’s health and wellbeing.
In general, reablement is most likely to be effective when:
- There is a correct diagnosis of dementia
- Medications have been reviewed
- Any other medical conditions are well-controlled
- There are adequate pain management strategies in place if the person has pain
- The person has good nutritional status
- Any changed behaviours are identified and appropriate management strategies are put in place
- The person’s family member, support the person or care worker can be actively involved in the delivery of programs
Taking Action the Montessori Way
Dementia is not one single disease but is rather an umbrella syndrome that includes many different forms. So what are the challenges in your job when working with a person who is living with dementia? and how might you be able to use a system of education that might help? Review this PDF document which highlights the issues faced and the methods adopted to help with real-life examples. Click the image to view the PDF.
.