Caring safely at home: Dementia
Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing and is not a disease in its own right. It describes the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions that cause the gradual death of brain cells. This leads to progressive cognitive decline.
These videos are designed for people caring for a family member with dementia. They give you practical and relevant information to support you day to day.
At the end of the section, there is a moment of reflection. Look out for this symbol:
Click to play the following videos to find out more about dementia.
This section covers:
Coping with unusual behaviour
Supporting a person with dementia can be very rewarding. But situations can arise that are difficult for the person with dementia or those supporting them. This video provides best practice.
Challenging behaviour
Being on the receiving end of aggression is often frightening and distressing. But we need to be aware that such behaviour is unlikely to be a deliberate act of aggression.
Active listening
A person living with dementia may have little or no speech, so it is important to carefully listen to what they are saying. This video explains how to with active listening.
Creating the right environment
The physical environment can work well – or make some big problems – for people living with dementia. Watch this video to see how you can improve the environment for the person you are caring for.
Time to reflect
This section provides advice on how to best approach common difficulties when caring for someone with dementia.
Were there things you hadn’t thought about? What would you do differently now?