ADVERTORIAL UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD OF SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA Originating from the Latin word "demens, meaning "without a mind, he term dementia historicaly designated social and intellectual deterioration associated with old age. However beginning in the late 19th century, with the advancement of medical technologies, the characterization of dementia increased in specificity, and the term Dementia" now encompasses about 70 dfferent conditions associated with abnomal cognitive dedine, including Alzheimer's. Now that we know the background, let's talk about the reality of someone who suffers from this disease. Sometimes people with dementia say things that suggest they have a different idea of reality, or sense of what is really going on, from our own. A person might, for example, ask to see his wife (who is no longer alivel or tell us that he sees insects in his bedroom (that aren't there). This is party because the person's memory and ways of seeing things have been altered by dementia Memory about current or recent events tends to become damaged, while memory about the past remains relatively intact, so the past can seem more real than the present to the person with dementia. A person might see things that aren't there because they are experiencing a halucination or are having difficulties making sense of what their eyes are seeing These people are not waiting to be brought back to the real world: they are seeking someone who wil validate their version- of reality. it is important to recognize that a person's beliefs about reality are usualy just as real to them as our reality is to us. So it is often unhelpful to confront a person with the truth when they believe something different. Insisting on the truth can cause unnecessary distress, for example, if we remind a person that his wite, who he has been asking to see, is dead Coming to understand that the world inside the mind of someone with dementia is as legitimate as the world inside a healthy mind, tells us that our inbernal reality is the only one that matters. Perhaps there is an objective reality to which most of us subscribe, but the smaller details, the intricacies of the world around us, are to each person unique. My perception of reality, though unaftected by brain disease, is not universal. Through acknowledging this, we can be better able to accept and welcome the range of perspectives you may encounter when caring or working with someone who has dementia. At One Kenton Place we embrace the day-to-day "realities" of our residents, by providing them with an environment and activities that speak to their perceptions, and engages them on a level that they can relate to. Ultimately, an emvironment is- created that fully embraces their reality, and brings a sense of calm and peacefulness to the reaities of their world. KENTON PLACE For excellent care, the one onekentonplace.ca 647-932-7913 RUTH DAYAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ruth Dayan has almost two decades of experience working in the healthcare industry, with a special focus in Altheimer's and Dementia care Her experience spans across all sectors of healthcare, including the management and day-to-day operations of two lange Long Term Care homes. Ruth is a certified Long Term Care Administrator. She also holds certifications in Quality Improvement Facilitation, Altheimer's and Dementia Care (Montessori, GPA Hush no Rush) and Lean Principles. ADVERTORIAL UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD OF SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA Originating from the Latin word "demens, meaning "without a mind, he term dementia historicaly designated social and intellectual deterioration associated with old age. However beginning in the late 19th century, with the advancement of medical technologies, the characterization of dementia increased in specificity, and the term Dementia" now encompasses about 70 dfferent conditions associated with abnomal cognitive dedine, including Alzheimer's. Now that we know the background, let's talk about the reality of someone who suffers from this disease. Sometimes people with dementia say things that suggest they have a different idea of reality, or sense of what is really going on, from our own. A person might, for example, ask to see his wife (who is no longer alivel or tell us that he sees insects in his bedroom (that aren't there). This is party because the person's memory and ways of seeing things have been altered by dementia Memory about current or recent events tends to become damaged, while memory about the past remains relatively intact, so the past can seem more real than the present to the person with dementia. A person might see things that aren't there because they are experiencing a halucination or are having difficulties making sense of what their eyes are seeing These people are not waiting to be brought back to the real world: they are seeking someone who wil validate their version- of reality. it is important to recognize that a person's beliefs about reality are usualy just as real to them as our reality is to us. So it is often unhelpful to confront a person with the truth when they believe something different. Insisting on the truth can cause unnecessary distress, for example, if we remind a person that his wite, who he has been asking to see, is dead Coming to understand that the world inside the mind of someone with dementia is as legitimate as the world inside a healthy mind, tells us that our inbernal reality is the only one that matters. Perhaps there is an objective reality to which most of us subscribe, but the smaller details, the intricacies of the world around us, are to each person unique. My perception of reality, though unaftected by brain disease, is not universal. Through acknowledging this, we can be better able to accept and welcome the range of perspectives you may encounter when caring or working with someone who has dementia. At One Kenton Place we embrace the day-to-day "realities" of our residents, by providing them with an environment and activities that speak to their perceptions, and engages them on a level that they can relate to. Ultimately, an emvironment is- created that fully embraces their reality, and brings a sense of calm and peacefulness to the reaities of their world. KENTON PLACE For excellent care, the one onekentonplace.ca 647-932-7913 RUTH DAYAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ruth Dayan has almost two decades of experience working in the healthcare industry, with a special focus in Altheimer's and Dementia care Her experience spans across all sectors of healthcare, including the management and day-to-day operations of two lange Long Term Care homes. Ruth is a certified Long Term Care Administrator. She also holds certifications in Quality Improvement Facilitation, Altheimer's and Dementia Care (Montessori, GPA Hush no Rush) and Lean Principles.