As Easter draws close at the end of the month, it is the ideal time to look beyond the hot cross buns, chocolate eggs and spring lambs to the underlying message of this important time of year. Easter is all about the power of love, concern for other people and putting the needs of others first. Love can come in many forms, including affection for family, fondness for friends and unconditional love for others.
The most successful care planning takes in all of these forms of love. The process considers the resident or patient’s needs first and foremost and then works out how to deliver the required care and support in a loving way. The very best type of planning also includes input from friends and family members who love the person too and want the very best for them. It is a product of many loving people’s work and collaboration.
Love-centred care for people with dementia
This is extremely important when it comes to planning delivering care for people with dementia. In fact, showing love, compassion and fondness to someone living with the condition is crucial at every stage in their care. Underneath the changes in health, personality and ability to communicate, the person living with dementia is still alive and able to feel. They can often sense the emotions being presented to them by those caring for them and can be reassured by someone else’s quiet, loving presence.
This is why showing love and putting it at the heart of dementia care management is so important. Sometimes, knowing that they are still loved can be all that someone with dementia has left to hold onto. It can also be hugely reassuring to friends and family to see that their loved one is receiving care that is centred in unconditional love.
Loving touch and human connections
Regardless of who we are and what health conditions we may be living with, human connections are vital to our physical and emotional wellbeing. For those with dementia, a simple touch can offer reassurance, strengthen a shared experience and provide a guiding hand to help them understand what is about to happen. So, a gentle hug can help calm someone down – or cheer them up. Holding hands while enjoying music or watching a film together can add to the experience. Meanwhile taking someone gently by the elbow can help guide them as they walk along, to remind them where they are heading for. Stroking a pet or cuddly toy can also help people with dementia regulate anxiety or feelings of becoming overwhelmed. Hand massages can also help reduce cortisol in our bodies (stress hormone) and increase levels of serotonin, which helps us feel calm and relaxed.
Namaste
The concept of love being the most important part of dementia care is growing and spreading across the country. This is, in part, thanks to programmes such as Namaste, which works with people with advanced dementia by focusing primarily on their personal needs, rather than solely on medical issues. Caring activities are delivered calmly with an unhurried, loving touch. Those living with dementia are given respect, dignity and love, which reduces stress and helps retain more of the person’s humanity and respect in the minds of those who care for them. People can receive visits as individuals, or care homes and other settings can integrate the Namaste programme for larger groups of residents. It can be tailored to suit different people’s needs and resources and integrated into every aspect of daily life. This helps keep the love that sits at the centre of the programme flowing all the time for everyone who needs it.
Easter-themed inspiration
One way in which love can be shown to people living with dementia in residential, care is to plan activities and experiences that stimulate the senses and enhance their quality of life. Easter offers great inspiration for planning activities that meet this brief. Decorating Easter bonnets, enjoying morning tea and hot cross buns or planting mini Easter gardens can all be enjoyed with help from care staff. Likewise, people might enjoy watching a televised Easter church service or listening to some Easter-themed music. Or invite a local petting farm to bring some rabbits in for a special Easter bunny stroking session. Anything that can provide enjoyable, sensory experiences and help residents with dementia feel loved and cherished this Easter season.
