Memory Assisted Living

Understanding the Person-Centered Approach to Memory Care

Memory care is one of the most important areas of healthcare today, especially with the growing elderly population. As a memory care facilitator, it’s very important to understand the different needs of residents and how to address them properly to ensure the best quality of life for them. In the late 1980s, Professor Thomas Kitwood of the Unversity of Bradford in the United Kingdom developed the person-centered approach in healthcare. This method has the goal of offering care that’s specific to a person’s needs, uniqueness, and preferences instead of taking the more general approach of care based on a disease and its signs and symptoms.

With person-centered care, the memory care facilitator acknowledges the presence of the disease, but it doesn’t focus on that diagnosis alone. Rather, this approach sees a person beyond his medical condition.

 

The benefits of person-centered care

More than the physical effects of dementia, it is the emotional and psychological toll that takes up the most burden for the elderly with this medical condition.

But person-centered care ensures that an individual still gets to enjoy the best quality of life even when dealing with the devastating effects of dementia. This method guarantees that:

  • An individual will be treated with the highest dignity and respect even with their medical condition.
  • A memory care facilitator will take the time to understand an individual’s medical history, lifestyle, personal preferences, culture, beliefs, and even their hobbies and interests.
  • The patient is offered the best opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and build strong relationships with other people.
  • The healthcare team will look at the situation from the patient’s point of view considering the things that they’re going through because of their condition.
  • The individual is still able to explore new horizons and do the things that they love.
  • The patient will be able to enjoy an excellent quality of life with the help of their carers, family members, and peers.

 

The most important aspects of person-centered care

Being diagnosed with dementia leaves a huge impact on a person’s life. Person-centered care focuses on the following points in caring for patients with dementia:

  • A deep understanding of the challenging behaviors for patients with dementia to allow a memory care facilitator to communicate their needs effectively and to avoid any unmet needs.
  • Empowering the caregiver with the information about a patient’s personal beliefs, current health status, relationships, and personal interests to make sure that they are given the best quality of care that’s specific to their needs.
  • Giving the patient the opportunity to be as independent as possible while providing them with the assistance that they need when they need them.

Person-centered care offers a new and better approach to helping patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

By understanding the specific needs of a patient, they are not only offered the best quality of care possible, but they are also given the opportunity to still enjoy the things that they love and not letting their medical condition define the rest of their life.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead