GentleCare™ page
This information has been designed for you, a family member or friend caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Caring for someone you love with dementia can be very difficult at times both emotionally and physically. It's important for you to know that the staff at Labdara Lithuanian Nursing Home is here to provide a listening ear as well as education and helpful supportive strategies to deal with the changes your loved one is experiencing. Together we care, In addition to our Gentlecare™ approach, we have included a list of community services as well as a recommended reading list. We hope you will find the information dhelpful. We also hope the ideas and suggestions we have provided will assist you in caring for your loved one as well as yourself. Gentlecare™ is a philosophy and a system of dementia care designed to change the experience of dementing illness for the afflicted person, the family and professional care providers. Gentlecare™ is derived from a belief that each person challenged with dementia is a unique and special human being with a rich history. Our goal with Gentelcare™ is to ultimately provide an environment where each person is treated with dignity, respect and love and care is personalized for the resident. Staff and families of the loved one form a partnership to improve the quality of living for the individual. Gentlecare™ focuses on existing levels of function and development, rather than requiring the person with dementia to perform in ways no longer possible. We care for the whole person not just the disease process. We do not focus on the losses. We encourage, support and assist the resident with his/her abilities. Family traditions, ethnicity, gender and life learned skills and experience form the basis of this care. We, at Labdara, focus on the individual.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive irreversible disorder of the brain. The brain is like any other organ of the body and can be affected by disease. The brain is the control center for your entire body. The two very vital roles that a brain has are to:
The following are some of the changes you may expect as the disease progresses:
Understanding the process of Alzheimer's disease helps everyone involved to assist and support the individual through this difficult progression.
Gentlecare™ nutrition is a developed nutrition plan designed to provide energy boosts and protein-energy food selections. The plan provides a strategy that spreads out daily nutritional allotment over a 24-hour cycle. Nutritional boosts enhance energy, and avoid nutritional low points as well as possible dehydration problems for our residents. Nutritional boosts do not replace regularly scheduled meal times; in fact they compliment regular mealtimes. It is important to know that a resident who suffers from dementia may not remain on the same eating schedule as they once did. As the disease progresses nutritional patterns and nutritional risk levels must be monitored carefully. Gentlecare™ dining is designed to offer nutritional meals; snacks and therapeutic supplements that cater to each individual's nutritional care plan offering flexible creative high-energy choices of food textures and selections.
Communicating with a person with dementia can be a challenge. You will have to adapt and try to compensate for their failing abilities. Knowing how to communicate effectively is important. You will need to use various ways of getting your message across, because the person gradually becomes less able to express their ideas in words and is less able to understand what has been communicated to him/her. The tone of your voice, body movements, and facial expressions all convey messages. The person with whom you are communicating may no longer be able to respond and fully understand your questions, but they will be able to speak to you through expressions when they are no longer able to use words adequately. Communication requires patience and above all creative imagination. The following tips may help you: Environment: It's difficult to communicate if you are competing with loud radios or TV's. Find an area in the home where there is less distraction. A calmer and quieter environment will provide an opportunity to communicate better. Our memory room and Snoezelan rooms are perfect for this. Touch: Always approach the person slowly and gently from the front. Gently reach out to the person's hand, arm or shoulder first. Begin conversation when you know they are ready to listen. Eye Contact: If possible make eye contact. It's much easier for the person to understand you if you are standing in front of him making eye contact. Speech: Speak slowly and very clearly: Use short simple less complex sentences. Repeat information: If the person has not understood your message, repeat your message using the same tone and using the same words clearly. Give one message at a time: Keep conversations simple and light. Do not include too many thoughts or choices. Ask questions that require less energy of the person to answer. Questions that require a “yes” or “no” answer are best. Attention: Reactions will provide you with an idea of how much the person understands. Watch for facial expressions and body language. Demonstrate: Show the person what you mean as you talk. For example, if it's time to brush their teeth, have the toothpaste, toothbrush etc., at hand to help explain. Visual cues are an effective way to translate a message.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is a challenge at times, but you are not alone. Understanding the disease and its effects is the first step in helping your family member and yourself. Take the opportunity to speak with fellow care providers such as staff and other family members. Asking for help and accepting help creates a bridge of support for both you and your loved one.
You are the most important person in the life of the individual with Alzheimer's disease. Your family member relies on you for his care and support. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease is both demanding and emotionally exhausting at times. You will need to set limits as to what you can do personally. Utilize the knowledge, support and caring that is available for you when you cannot be with your family member It is essential that you the caregiver also look after yourself. It may difficult to admit that you cannot do everything. By realistically reviewing what and how much you can do will help you in setting your limits in caring for your loved one.
GentleCare Learning to speak Alzheimer's: A groundbreaking approach for everyone dealing with the disease. The 36-Hour Day Love is Ageless: Stories about Alzheimer's disease. Mosaic Moon: Care giving through poetry. Alzheimer's Society
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