The Enriched Model of Dementia D NI P

The Enriched Model of Dementia D = NI = P = H = B = SP

Neurological Impairment (NI) �How do you think this may affect the person?

NI �Neurological impairment associated with dementia affects; �Memory function �The ability to use and understand spoken and written language �The ability to carry out practical everyday tasks �The ability to perceive the world as others do �The ability to plan a course of action and see things from other peoples viewpoint

Personality (P) �This is all of the strengths and vulnerabilities that we have as human beings and that will have a direct effect on how individuals cope with the effects of dementia. �If a person has always been in control then they will struggle with the consequences of dementia. �An extrovert may cope better with communal living than an introvert.

Biography (B) �People will try and make sense of what is happening to them in the here and now by reference to experiences they have had in the past. �Due to the brain damage people may have their memories may not be reliable e. g. people may not remember being admitted to a nursing home. �People will try and make sense of where they are and so use past memories to do this.

Personality (P) �Personality does not usually change as a result of having dementia. �How people respond to stress and challenge are learnt behaviours �Asking family and friends how people have coped previously may help to plan care when helping someone to cope with the challenges living with dementia can bring

Health (H) �For someone elderly especially if they have the label of dementia sometimes family carers, care staff and professionals may attribute an increase in confused behaviour to the dementia �People with dementia are mores susceptible to acute confessional states and delirium arising from physical health problems.

Health (H) �People with dementia will not be able to give an accurate account of their symptoms due to memory problems �It is important that carers are immediately aware of any changes in a persons physical health.

Biography or Life History (B) �People make sense of what is happening to them in the present by referring to the past and past experiences. �Due to brain damage the more recent past for people with dementia has often not been laid down reliably within memory stores. �For example people may not remember being admitted into a nursing home and this will not relate to any past experiences.

Social Psychology (SP) �This is the social and psychological environment in which people with dementia find themselves �It is the relationships between people �Kitwood viewed person-centred care for people with dementia took place in the context of relationships. �Kitwood believed that social psychology could be supportive or damaging to people with dementia