Believe in their personhood
The goal in caring for a person with dementia is their well-being. Tom Kitwood, one of the most respected voices in early dementia care and the author of Dementia Reconsidered, says that we can enhance the well-being of individuals with dementia by “facilitating a sense of personal worth, a sense of agency, social confidence, and a basic trust of security in the environment and in others.”
The critical element in facilitating a sense of self-worth for individuals with dementia is to adopt the unwavering belief that, regardless of how profoundly confused they may be, each one is a sentient person. When you demonstrate this attitude in the presence of a person with dementia through your words and actions, you foster in that individual a sense of both personal worth and the ability to act and make decisions independently wherever possible; in essence, you honor their personhood. Kitwood says, “Personhood is a standing or status that is bestowed upon one human being by others, in the context of relationship and social being. It implies recognition, respect, and trust.”
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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