Saddleworth Dementia Friends’ Champion, Helen Morris, shares some thoughts on dementia about ‘comfort and frustration’

THIS COULD be one of the most misunderstood issues for people living with dementia.  Many partners and carers describe uncharacteristic outbursts of anger that can accompany this condition.

With dementia most outbursts are caused not by the condition itself but by some real discomfort experienced, which the person cannot articulate. The discomfort could be physical or psychological and is not always visible to others.

I have found the ABC method used in many care environments can help: A = Antecedent, B = Behaviour and C = Consequence. The idea is to observe and record situations, trying to think what was happening in the environment beforehand and what was the result.

Observing someone quietly you might see them wince with pain when making a movement or after food and this could be the trigger to an unexpected behaviour. A doctor’s appointment might bring a solution.

Noting the actual behaviour instead of just reacting to it might clarify it as a release of tension. You should also consider the consequences because although it may annoy you, it might be doing no real harm e.g. torn up paper napkins might just be something to do!

Using this method staff helped a man who had worked as a fireman and would wake at night to mistake a dressing gown for someone in need of rescue. When the dressing gown was stowed away, the shouting, alarm and falls all ceased.

I will return to this area in the next edition but for now taking time to consider ABC might help to reduce frustration and resolve tensions. The golden rule is not to assume it is the condition causing the behaviour but to look beyond it to find the real trigger.

This can make the person’s immediate environment more dementia friendly and so improve our Saddleworth community.

Learning these skills now may help us all as we live our longer lives as it is likely many of us will learn to live with Dementia ourselves and / or support someone else who is close to us.

 For details of local Dementia Friends Sessions with Helen please visit www.close-communications.com/dementia-friends or book online at www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Following last month’s successful session at St Anne’s Lydgate Parish Hall, Helen will be appearing at the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association Meeting at the Satellite Centre in Greenfield at 7pm on Tuesday, November 26. The talk is open to the public and all are welcome.

Meanwhile, a singing group for people living with dementia has been launched by Alzheimer’s Society in collaboration with the Oldham Music Service.

The programme promotes communication through singing, which can help with articulation, concentration, focus and motivation.

Specially trained facilitators deliver a varied programme of vocal, rhythmic and gentle physical exercise and dance, along with songs from different eras and styles.

Sessions run on Wednesdays (term time only) from 1.30pm until 3pm at the Oldham Music Service, Lyceum Building, Union Street, Oldham.

To find out more log on to www.alzheimers.org.uk/localinformation or call 0161 342 0797.