What to expect: The structure of each session will include (not necessarily in this order):

Ways to understand the impacts of dementia

Understanding progression is essential to good care: The GEMS® model Communication

and support that is informed, sensitive, appropriate Thinking about relationship and care

 

Some background to our approach:

Please read before starting the sessions, and ask us about anything you want to learn

more about in our discussions. Our starting point:

• Human beings are social we do not become social, we are born social!

• From our first moments, we require positive social connections to thrive

• We are interdependent beings, throughout our entire lives

• To flourish we need to be recognised, and to recognise others

• Physical care (food, warmth, shelter, hygiene, exercise) is important but cannot replace quality social engagement

• People thrive in relationshi ps that are affirming, including people with dementia

• People with dementia are able to be held in connection through informed, relational care

• Being vulnerable is something that every person will experience at different times and in different ways: it is part of being human and is not a deficit

 

Note: we focus on two-way communication in these sessions rather than tasks and activities., but you will be able to translate your learnings into appropriate approaches to tasks and activities.

 

Session 1: WHY AND HOW ABILITIES CHANGE

We will cover:

Brain degeneration / Executive functioning skills / Perception (vision) Introducing Positive Physical Approach and Hand under Hand Understanding the value of thinking in terms of GEM states. A relational approach: relational being, relational care.

 

Through your participation, you can expect the following outcomes in your learning:

​

That there are different ways to think about dementia and our approach matters

Basic understandings about the communicative impact of brain degeneration are really helpful

An appreciation of executive functioning skills and how to think about them in terms of capacities

Awareness of the impacts of changes in sensory perception (step 1: vision)

An introduction to the value of the GEMS™ model and its focus on ability and response You will understand the value of using a Positive Physical Approach and Hand-under-Hand

You will have a basic appreciation of the difference between person-centred care and relational care

 

Session 2: OBSERVING AND RESPONDING TO CHANGING ABILITIES

 

Session 3: RELATIONAL CARE – ‘GOING WITH THE FLOW’

 

Sessions 2 and 3 will reinforce and expand on the themes started in Session 1. Please let us know, during and after each session, if there is something that is not clear, that is not covered that you want to learn more about, that you want to discuss in more detail. Don't wait until the end to give us feedback!

 

At the close of each session, you will receive a copy of the PowerPoint slides as well as some follow-up videos to reinforce or extend what we have been covering.