Maintaining Social Connections for All

As September, Dementia month, draws to a close, my thoughts return to those living with dementia.

Just this morning I spoke to a support worker who has an 81 year old client who has always been physically robust. Whilst he is living with dementia, he has been in excellent health for a long time.

A sudden turn of events has changed all that. He had a fall several days ago and simply cannot continue to be looked after at home. Even though his wife is more than willing to support him in all ways possible, physically she struggled.

He's now in an aged care facility with his devoted wife visiting daily. Of course, she’s wrapped in all sorts of feelings of guilt that she ‘should’ have been able to care for him at home. I think we can all identify with those feelings.

I spoke to the carer this morning. She too had all sorts of mixed feelings about this gentleman – immense sorrow that his situation had changed so suddenly; the ripple effect that his fall has set in motion, with his swallowing now deteriorating; sadness for his wife who feels she has let her husband down; reluctantly embarking on a slippery slope for this couple … and the list goes on.

She and I light-heartedly suggested, in addition to educating about swallowing safety, counselling support, not only for the client but also their family and those carers involved with them could be part of my role.

Read a personal story of how important maintaining social connections is for everyone.

https://healthcarechannel.co/maintaining-social-connections-for-our-elders-living-with-dementia/?utm_campaign=Healthcare%20Channel%20Newsletters&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=275167930&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9xOf9G2tW3GPyNztUK257gANJCeJMnoIIaAyseRlYz7nlwlt_mB5995pSNbKZnEtD_Hwws_Z0lcH_sjHgAoCwPSz1wS32uGmtXGfXfmCNi8mperG8&utm_content=275167930&utm_source=hs_email