Social Model of Care for DementiaClaire M. Henry, M.Ed.CDP

Social Model of Care

The social model of care focuses on an individual as a whole. “Ability” is stressed rather than disability. Medical care is provided as needed but is not the focus of the care setting. A home-like environment is used to promote individualism, privacy and choice.

Social Model Domains

1. Empowering functional abilities.

2. Community involvement.

3. Staff empowerment

4. The home environment.

5. Dining Experience.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Survival Needs

Biological, oxygen, water, food, rest, sleep, elimination of waste, sex

Safety and Security, safe, circumstances, stability, protection, structure, order

Belonging, friendship, love, sense of community

Self-esteem, status, recognition, dignity

Self-actualization, continuous desire to fulfill potential, be all you can be.

Patient-Centered Care

Patient Centered care considers patients’ cultural traditions, their personal preferences and values, their family situations and lifestyles.

Patient-Centered Care makes the patient and their loved ones an integral part of the care team.

Patient-Centered Care

Patient-Centered care puts responsibility for important aspects of self-care and monitoring in the patients hands

Patient-Centered ensures that transitions between providers, departments, and health care setting are respectful, coordinated and efficient.

Person Centered Care-requires a new point of view

From person with DEMENTIA to PERSON with dementia.

From the patient/resident to the PERSON.

From illness to wellness.

From inability to strengths

From doing “to” or “for” to doing with.

Alzheimer’s Care-What works?

Accepting the resident “where they are”.

Calm and structured environment

Home-like surroundings with normalized activities

Regular and consistent routines

Positive communication approaches.

Respect individuality and offer safe choices.

Creative behavioral management.

Partnering with families.

Four principles of Alzheimer’s Care

Resident Centered: Promotes individuality, dignity, safety and security to enhance a sense of belonging and peace of mind for each resident and their families.

Behavioral Strategies & Problem Solving: Moves away from the traditional task-centered model by responding to each resident’s unique needs and understanding how the environment shapes their experiences. Assesses behaviors and creatively problem-solves options for more effective management.

Four Principles of Alzheimer Care (contd)

Activity Based: Recognizes that each resident interaction with the environment offers staff an opportunity to enable a sense of usefulness, pleasure, success and a feeling of being normal.

Staff capability and flexibility: Ensures that the right people are selected and appropriately trained to work in the program. Staffing patterns must be consistent to meet program standards. Cross-functional teamwork is essiential for open and regular communications among team members.

Philosophy of Care

Your role as a provider of care is to reduce each resident’s fear and confusion by providing predictable routines and structures in an atmosphere of affection, and to provide a program of activities and interactions that will compensate for your resident’s brain impairment.

The value of teamwork

Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.

~Henry Ford