Session 1,
Introduction,
Person-Centred Dementia Care Plan,
Outline and a Short Practice.
Hi,
Thanks so much for listening.
In this series of short meditations and talks,
We'll be focusing on a person-centred model of caring for a loved one or friend who is living with dementia.
It can be challenging to find the time to research best care practices when you are caring for someone living with the disease,
So I'm really pleased you've taken this time for your own wellbeing.
This in turn will enable you to come to terms with the condition itself and hopefully provide you with simple strategies to create moments of joy for the individual in your care.
Having helped my late mum through her journey with dementia,
I personally found that sometimes the simplest strategies were the most effective in de-escalating a situation that potentially may have agitated mum before she became too triggered.
Possibly one of the most important things I learned along the way was patience.
I understand that when you're in the lived experience,
Day-to-day,
And caring for someone coping as best as they can with the progression of the disease,
The idea of being more patient may feel like it's easier said than done.
To have resilience might resonate more with you.
I found that when I researched more about the disease itself and why some of the triggering behaviours were occurring for mum,
That patience came more easily.
You'll recognise some of the signs and symptoms of dementia as we progress through this 10-day course,
And my hope is that as your understanding of the causes becomes clearer,
That acceptance will follow.
In times you might feel overwhelmed or challenged as a care partner,
I suggest saying to yourself pause,
And gifting yourself this moment and this breath just to regroup and begin again.
Time is precious in dementia care,
So to begin with,
I've kept the practices a manageable short duration to enable listeners to pick them up multiple times a day.
A one-minute meditation practice can make a world of difference and just bring you back to centre for a moment,
This moment,
This breath.
So let's begin with a short practice.
If you are able and it feels comfortable,
Take a minute to close your eyes,
Or just get comfortable in a quiet place.
Take a deep breath into the bottom of your lungs,
Expanding your ribcage at the base,
Like you're filling balloons with air.
Hold for a moment,
Then in your own time,
Release the breath easily and evenly.
Ultimately,
Say to yourself any word that may help you relax on the exhalation of breath,
And allow yourself more time on the out-breath before your next in-breath to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help you release your body's natural inclination towards fight-or-flight mode in stressful situations.
Recall something your loved one,
Or the person you're caring for,
Used to enjoy doing.
This doesn't need to be anything complicated,
It can be as simple as watching the ocean,
Seeing the sunrise,
Or maybe enjoying their favourite ice cream flavour.
Just take a minute to ask yourself if today you might be able to create a moment of joy for them by gifting them the experience of this favourite activity.
If it's too challenging to take them out to see the sunrise,
Perhaps you can show them pictures of the sun rising on your computer,
Or open the windows in the early morning so their view is of the sun outside.
Maybe play a soundtrack that is of a place in nature as the day begins with birds chirping.
Or even using coloured pencils and paper,
You could draw the sun together.
Remember there's no right or wrong.
If sunrises bring joy for a moment,
It helps soothe the person living with dementia in that moment.
And many small moments of joy lead to happier days and nights for you and your loved one.
So that's it for session one.
See you in the next session.
And thanks again for listening.
