Hope For Dementia Care Wrapped In Wisdom & Compassion

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Challenging the Behavioral Paradigm: The Unequivocal Rights of PLWD to Express Themselves

Challenging the Behavioral Paradigm: The Unequivocal Rights of PLWD to Express Themselves

Lori La Bey and Leah Bisiani explore the importance of dignified, personalised relationship-based support for all individuals living with dementia. The conversation touches on the need for better support systems as the aging population grows, and the importance of listening to people living with dementia.

The ladies discussed the recent International Dementia and Innovation Conference in Bali, where people with dementia were given a platform to share their lived experiences and provide a voice of advocacy for all people living with dementia.

They discussed the Aashaya Jasri Resort, also in Bali, which offers an “inclusive disability-enabling” holiday experience, designed for people living with dementia and people with disabilities, to enjoy a holiday in paradise.

Dementia Stigma and Respect Discussion

Leah and Lori discussed the need to change societal perceptions and conditioning about dementia and those who live with it, emphasizing the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect by upholding their human rights.

They highlighted how negative portrayals and terminology contribute to stigma and prejudicial bias, and agreed that people with dementia deserve advocacy, support, and understanding.

The conversation also touched on the monetization of fear by big businesses and the importance of addressing normal human responses to unmet needs in relation to the person, “listening” to what they are trying to communicate, as opposed to labelling people living with dementia, and describing changes in behaviour as problematic.

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Dementia Care: Person-Centered Approach

Leah and Lori discussed how critical it is to emphasize the importance of understanding changes in behaviour as authentic responses to feeling misunderstood, devalued, and disrespected. They highlighted the need for person-centered support that addresses both medical, physiological, psychological, cognitive, and emotional needs, advocating for a shift in how society perceives people living with dementia.

Lori noted the lack of relationship-focused training in care settings, while Leah agreed and stressed the significance of nurturing relationships through providing inclusive, meaningful engagement for people living with dementia, enabling them to continue life as they know it, and live well with dementia.

Engaging Older Adults with Dignity

Lori and Leah discussed the importance of recognizing and engaging with older adults, particularly those with dementia, to prevent feelings of invisibility and loneliness.

They highlighted the prevalence of undiagnosed depression among older people in residential aged care and the need to differentiate between depression and dementia.

Leah shared her research findings with the results suggesting that 4 older people supposedly living with dementia, post-treatment of depression, returned to full cognitive function, and had been misdiagnosed with dementia, when they really had chronic depression.

Lori and Leah emphasized the importance of understanding individual and specific needs and providing environments that promote emotional well-being and a sense of control.

They agreed that aging well initiatives should prioritize maintaining a person’s dignity and quality of life, acknowledging the diversity of the human population, and that “going without is not an option”.

Dementia Communication and Technology

Lori and Leah discussed the challenges faced by individuals with dementia, placed upon them by society, including bullying and misconceptions about their condition. They emphasized the importance of adapting communication methods to accommodate those with dementia, highlighting the significance of non-verbal communication. They also touched on the impact of technology on social interaction, noting a shift towards less face-to-face communication among younger generations, which is going to have a huge effect on future care.

Dementia Communication and Care Strategies

Leah and Lori discussed the importance of understanding and communicating with people who have dementia, highlighting the need to adapt communication methods that respect cognitive capabilities and other age-related conditions that may impact on well-being.

Leah shared her experience in managing homes for people living with dementia, where she provided support that enabled people to thrive and live well with dementia, highlighting the success of personalized, relationship-based frameworks that eliminate stress-related responses and promote joy and happiness. They both agreed that these learnings are applicable beyond dementia support, enriching personal and professional lives.

Legacy and Empowerment in Healthcare

Leah and Lori discussed the importance of leaving a legacy in healthcare, emphasizing the need for succession planning and empowering teams.

They shared personal experiences and strategies for creating change, including regular job description reviews and open-door policies.

Leah highlighted the significance of recognizing and nurturing staff, while Lori emphasized the impact of small, consistent changes.

Leah finished off with one of her quotes:

“Evidently, we are accountable for nurturing our own humanity to support civilisation, and value the cultivation of kindness, by respecting our vulnerable older population, and especially people living with dementia.

We must acquire the ability to develop compassion; we should critique isolation and reintroduce community and culture changes, subsequently refining our great power and precision in response to a more humane philosophy.

Reach out and be proud to advocate and provide a voice of strength for the empathy revolution”.

– Leah Bisiani

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