It is important to know how much the patient wants to know. The information given to the patient should be appropriate to their stage of illness.
In the early stage of the illness patients generally need two type of information:
- Information on what dementia is.
- Provide information on the illness and its natural progression. There is a document below on Coping with the Early Stages of Dementia, it was developed for use in the Irish setting and provides information on available supports.
- On the links below you will find link to a collection of short videos produced by Trinity Brain Health. These films include information on what dementia is, how it differs from Alzheimers disease and how to cope with the early stages of dementia. Direct patients to this site at http://freedemliving.com/
- Information on symptom management
- Under the 'downloads' section below you will find a document produced by the Alzheimers Society of Ireland on 'Living Well with Dementia' and includes practical memory and communication tips.
Advice they might find helpful includes:
- Advice on Social Welfare entitlements
The person and their carer may now be eligible for certain social welfare payments. Advise them to contact their local social welfare office.
- Advice on Driving
See our Driving with Dementia page for more information (link below under further reading)
- Financial Advice
The Money Advice & Budgeting Services (MABS) provide free financial advice. For more information on MABS the patient could contact them on: 0761 07 2000
- Money Advice & Budgeting Services (MABS)
- Short Videos on Dementia produced by Trinity Brain Health
Impact of Diagnosis
Facing and accepting the diagnosis of dementia can be a lengthy process for both the individual and their family.
The person diagnosed with dementia should be encouraged to:
- allow themselves to experience their feelings which can vary from fear, bitterness, anger and despair
- allow themselves to grieve
- consider meeting others with dementia (see our service directory for local patient support groups)
- see our patient information leaflets for coping strategies post-diagnosis
Consider the impact of the diagnosis on the family and future potential carers.
Involving Members of Primary Care Team
Consider involving other members of the primary care team in the management of this patient
- Public Health Nurse - access to home-help, meals on wheels, day-care centre, access to respite care
- Physiotherapy - falls risk assessment, mobility assessment, mobility aids
- Occupational Therapist - assessment of the home, aids and appliances, assistive technologies
- Speech & Language Therapist – communication advice, swallow assessment
- Social Worker – rights, entitlements
- Community Psychologist – counselling, support family carer
- Community Pharmacist – medication management, dispensing
Assessment of Need
- Block off a period of time to discuss the diagnosis with the person and, if the person consents, with their family - both will need ongoing support.
- To make this consultation effective start by exploring the patient and caregivers current needs and then try to match them up with the resources that are available.
- Mapping out their needs and having a targeted approach will focus the consultation and will provide useful information to the patient without overwhelming them.
Home Supports
Patients may find practical tips for improving time and place orientation around the home helpful. For example:
- Keep a large clock and a calendar visible in the bedroom and kitchen so the person always knows what day/time it is.
- Attach a sticker (where possible) to appliances such as the toaster or coffee maker describing what the appliance does and put notices on doors and cupboards as a reminder of what is inside the cupboards/behind doors.
- To reinforce self-identity, place large pictures of family members and friends around the house, complete with nametags.
See PDF below for more practical tips on living with dementia.
Depending on the stage of the illness and other co-morbities the patient may be eligble for home help. See PDF below for information for patients on the HSE care packages
- If the patient or the caregiver is reluctant to accept help it may be as a result of a fear of losing autonomy. These situations can be helped by explaining to the patient, or the carer, that sometimes sacrificing a small amount of autonomy is necessary to maintain independence and to stay at home as long as is possible.
