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Getting a Handle on Dementia
According to the Alzheimer's Society there are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK
Dementia sufferers and their carers face many challenges, especially when it comes to safely performing manual handling tasks. Due to neurological changes, there is a break down in communication abilities. As dementia progresses, a person's mobility often fluctuates as well as their ability to communicate. It is therefore difficult to know how to help someone with dementia stand up, or move from a chair to the bathroom without hurting yourself.
These tips may be helpful when assisting a dementia sufferer with mobility:
- Decide exactly what you want to assist this person to do
- Is it vital that this person moves now?
- Observe the person's facial expressions
- If he or she appears resistant or agitated, leave and come back in 15 minutes
- Ensure the room is quiet
- Minimise falls risk by eliminating clutter
- Use short, clear, simple words
The Health and Safety Executive reports handling activities remain the primary cause of greater than 3-day injuries to workers in health/social care services in the UK (HSE 2009). The National Back Exchange recommends all carers receive manual handling training with a focus on practical hands-on techniques to minimise risk of strain injuries due to repetitive or challenging handling.
Visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for more useful information on how to take care of yourself, as well as the person for whom you are caring. Admiral Nurses are specialist mental health nurses who work with family carers and people with dementia. For more information, go to www.dementiauk.org/what-we-do/admiral-nurses.
Central Health Physiotherapy offers clinical manual handling training courses for carers at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. Domiciliary physiotherapy may be indicated to help a person with dementia improve their mobility. A home visit by one of Central Health Physiotherapy's occupational therapists may also promote their independent movement by reviewing functional transfers and adjusting furniture to the appropriate height.
Diane Daly, Senior Physiotherapist and Manual Handling Trainer, Chancery Lane
Click here to contact Central Health Physiotherapy