Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach · Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach ... Outline...

© Chengi Kuo 2015 1

Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach for the main carer

Chengi Kuo

Given at International Dementia Conference, Birmingham

on 3 November 2015


INTRODUCTION Caring for someone is well recognised

- As a very demanding commitment

- Especially for the main carer

- Illness would reduce the ability to care

The main carers must be looked after by

- An effective method that enables them to

be fit and healthy for doing caring tasks

A self-caring approach is outlined here

The approach is generic and usable

CARIN

G S

OM

EO

NE


CONTENTS

Define & classify the term “carer”

Give what is meant by “take care”

Identify criteria for a self-caring approach

Outline the 6-step self-caring approach

Provide a practical example of usage

Discuss issues requiring attention

Make some concluding remarks

SCO

PE C

OVERD


WHAT IS A CARER?

The term is used widely & activities range

- From talking to some one & run errands

- To showering/dressing & manage funds

Dementia is a non- absolute entity because

- No fixed right/wrong caring solution

- Each person may care differently

- Leading to many definitions being used

There is a need to classify carers in order

- To focus on effective use of caring efforts

BASIS

OF T

HE T

ERM


CLASSIFY CARERS

Manager carers (MC)

- Making caring arrangements & decisions

- Usually do NOT involve in personal care

Worker carers (WC)

- Will do a range of personal caring tasks

- Respond to the requests of MC and ACC

All Action Careers (AAC)

- Will take on the roles of both MC and AAC

- Often not by choice but by circumstances

INTO

TH

REE G

RO

UPS


TAKE CARE

Friends/interested parties tend to use -The term for carers when departing Meanings of the term include - Be kind to one self & take rest often - More friendly than “good bye”, etc. These explanations are interesting - But provide NO guide to carers like AACs There is an urgent need for - An effective Self-Caring approach

A P

OPU

LR E

XPRESSIO

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SELF-CARING APPROACH

The driving force for the approach is

-To assist mainly the All Action Carer (AAC)

- But the approach should be usable to all

Basic features

- It must be generic for use by everyone

- Do not requires special skills

- Logical and systemic

DESIR

ABLE F

EATU

RES


THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC

Caring goal: This will provide a guide for

caring direction & caring efforts needed

Healthy lifestyle : It will depend on the existing lifestyle and changes needed

Implementation: Do mental and physical exercises regularly

KEY C

RIT

ERIA


THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC

Adequate rest: Learn to relax and try to

have undisturbed 8 hour sleep

Short respites and breaks: The AAC must have these by planning & by chance

Sharing caring experience: With others by reporting and gaining feedback

KEY C

RIT

ERIA


THE S-C APPROACH

CLARIFY: AAC’s caring goal

HONE: A healthy lifestyle

EXERCISE: Mind & body regularly

NURTURE: A rest habit

GO: For frequent short breaks/respites

INSPIRE: Others by sharing experience

The first letter of each word gives the acronym CHENGI

TH

E 6

STEPS


A MIND MAP

CH

EN

GI S

ELF-C

ARIN

G A

PP.



A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

The CHENGI approach: It is the approach

I have devised in caring for my wife

Expressed in generic form: To ensure greater usage by other AACs

Summary of paper: Only the key features are outlined here in this presentation

FRO

M P

ERSO

NAL E

XPER.


BACKGROUND

My wife gave early signs of dementia

- In 2004, given support, e.g. day care

By mid 2012, they can no longer cope

- Choice: Home care or nursing home

I opted former via single-handed

Learned to be a competent carer

Adopted my research skills to caring

TO

REAL L

IFE E

XAM

PLE


CARING GOAL

Was defined as follows:

To enable my wife to live at home

for as long as reasonably practicable

while enjoying a high quality of life

in terms of health, diet, mental

stimulation, physical exercises, transfer

tasks with all safety hazards managed at tolerable risk level

FO

R M

Y W

IFE


STEP 1: CLARIFY

My goal as an AAC is:

To meet the caring goal for my wife and give special attention to my own health and fitness while recognising my personal limitations

Seek supports: From all appropriate sources and persons

MY G

OAL A

S A

N A

AC


STEP 2: HONE

Choice of healthy life-style: Suitable for

both my wife and me. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. I cook mostly from raw products

Personal life choices: I have never smoked and drink little alcohol mainly with meals

ON

A H

EALT

HY L

IFE-S

TYLE


STEP 3: EXERCISE

Examples of mind: I spend 25% of my time doing research, teaching students,

writing papers and books

Examples of body: I go to gym 3-4 times a week for minor workouts and swim

outdoors Examples of hobbies: Cooking, music, art,

world current affairs, watch selected sports

MIN

D &

BO

DY R

EG

ULA

RLY


STEP 4: NURTURE

Relaxing: I listen to music, go to concerts,

visit museums, do some gardening, trips to countryside & spend time with my wife.

Sleeping: I do NOT need too much sleep

as I fall asleep quickly and soundly. Short naps cam make up 8 hour short falls

A R

ESTIN

G H

ABIT


STEP 5: GO

Respites: I seek several 1-5 days for going

outside of Glasgow and attending special occasions. Very lucky to have the support of an excellent nursing home

Examples of short breaks: Attend concerts, going out for meals with friends, participate in interesting seminars on various topics

FO

R S

HO

RT B

REAKS


STEP 6: INSPIRE

Sharing experiences: I try different ways of

doing caring tasks and write papers for circulation and publication of ideas

Gaining feedbacks: I do caring tasks with worker carer and watch how they do things and listen to their views

OTH

ERS IN

CARIN

G


DISCUSSION -1

Applicability of CHENGI approach: AAC will take time to grasp the principles, to try out and practise the approach. A positive attitude will help.

Any difficulties? Home carers have been generally helpful

and supportive to ACC but some problems with care manager from agencies

ISSU

ES L

EARN

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DISCUSSION - 2

Too ready to follow “accepted” methods: AAC and WC give too much respect to traditional ways and regulations without checking if they are scientific & up-to date Role of education All careers should be educated to seek

innovative ways of doing caring tasks better and share their experiences with everyone

ISSU

ES L

EARN

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CONCLUDING REMARKS

All Action Carer is doing a 24-7-365-N

(years) job and must have a self caring approach in place

The CHENGI Self-Caring approach is a

practical and flexible method that can be adopted for individual’s situation

The AAC should seek innovative ways to improve caring performances as the cared person’s dementia advances with time

ON

SELF-C

ARIN

G


THANK YOU

For your attention

and interest

The e

nd

Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach · Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach ... Outline...

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