Dementia: A Misunderstood Disability

A person living with and without a disability wants to experience a sense of belonging, feel accepted, and have a valued and meaningful purpose in their life. Having social relationships with friends, and staying active in their community promotes a life of quality. However, social inclusion of children and adults with disabilities continue to be a challenge due to a lack of education and awareness, and even disregarding the legal rights of those with a disability can occur. Discrimination of a group of people causes prejudices and preconceived beliefs of their abilities, needs, and feelings. 

So is dementia a misunderstood disability? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 

“A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).” This can include disabilities that affect a person’s thinking, remembering, movement, learning, communication, and social relationships.

From a legal standpoint, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability “as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities” and the person may qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. People living with dementia are often discriminated against in the work force, even though the ADA makes it “unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability.” Often people are “forced to retire” when they disclose a diagnosis of dementia at a work place and accommodations to adapt the job skills are seldom even considered. 

Inclusion of all people in our communities is not just a legal right, but it is the right thing to do. So why do we not recognized that a person living with dementia is actually is living with a chronic disability? Could better education and understanding of what dementia is and is not help lessen the stigma that a diagnosis of dementia brings to both the person and the family?

When people are excluded from participating in every day community life, social isolation can occur and the loneliness and lack of stimulation can have adverse outcomes.  We saw the sad and serious consequences of social isolation of our seniors living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Keeping you and your family member active is your community, and especially in your church, is so important to reduce the loneliness that a diagnosis of dementia can bring. Staying connected with others improves overall well-being not only for the person with dementia, but also for the family and friends as well.

Finding your Superpowers

 A Positive Approach to New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers

As 2021 comes to an end, many people create resolutions (a decision or determination) to change something in their life. Often, it is a pledge to stop a negative behavior such as smoking, or to lose weight, but actually our brains respond much better to positive rather than negative concepts. 

Caregiving is stressful and can feel overwhelming at times. By practicing self-determination, self-care, and positive self-talk, your confidence level improves and helps you to believe in positive outcomes. Below are tips to help that may help you get off to a great start for 2022.

• Rather than trying to stop correcting or arguing with your loved one, perhaps resolve to “being more compassionate.”

• Instead of “wishing” your family member wasn’t so restless, bored, confused… find a holistic hobby such as yoga, art, music, dance, sensory stimulation, and reminiscence. These type of activities address the whole body and can help your loved one feel more comfortable and improve their quality of life. You could create a “gratitude” journal together. Studies show that people who practice gratitude are happier than those who do not.

• Practice positive self-talk. It can boost self-confidence and helps us to believe that we can create successful outcomes.

• Be kinder to yourself. Avoid the trap of thinking about all the imperfections as a caregiver, reflect “on the good things you do.

• Be intentional and write things down. Recognize the things you can’t control and tackle the things you can. This can help minimize stress.

• Spend time with your family members and friends that are supportive and let go of those who criticize you or never offers help. 

• Continue to learn new caregiving techniques to address any behavior change in your loved one.

• Assess all aspects of your life and focus on positive changes in each area. You are more than a caregiver to your loved one. Resolve to do “mother and daughter outings” or ‘husband and wife” activities, not just caregiving.

• Try respite care, whether in-home or in a local facility. A four hour or eight hour respite a couple of time a week, or a week end respite is key in avoiding burn out and maintain a positive relationship with your loved one. You can use an agency, or perhaps one or two friends could stay with your loved one to give you a break to do something for yourself.
• Join a support group. Belonging to a group that shares your same struggles and promote overall well-being
  
  
  

Finding your Superpowers