Dementia: The 6-step Self-Caring approach for the main carer Chengi Kuo Given at International Dementia Conference, Birmingham on 3 November 2015 Chengi Kuo 2015 1
INTRODUCTION CARING SOMEONE 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 2
CONTENTS SCOPE COVERD 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 3
WHAT IS A CARER? BASIS OF THE TERM 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 4
CLASSIFY CARERS INTO THREE GROUPS 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 5
TAKE CARE A POPULR EXPRESSION 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 6
SELF-CARING APPROACH DESIRABLE FEATURES 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 7
THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC KEY CRITERIA 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 8
THE S-C APPROACH FOR AAC KEY CRITERIA 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 9
THE S-C APPROACH THE 6 STEPS CLARIFY: HONE: AAC s caring goal 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 10
A MIND MAP CHENGI SELF-CARING APP. Chengi Kuo 2010 2015 11
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE FROM PERSONAL EXPER. 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 12
BACKGROUND TO REAL LIFE EXAMPLE 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 13
CARING GOAL FOR MY WIFE 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 14
STEP 1: CLARIFY MY GOAL AS AN AAC 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 15
STEP 2: HONE ON A HEALTHY LIFE-STYLE 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 16
STEP 3: EXERCISE MIND & BODY REGULARLY 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 17
STEP 4: NURTURE A RESTING HABIT 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 18
STEP 5: GO FOR SHORT BREAKS 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 19
STEP 6: INSPIRE OTHERS IN CARING 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 20
DISCUSSION -1 ISSUES LEARNT 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 21
DISCUSSION - 2 ISSUES LEARNT 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 22
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON SELF-CARING 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 Chengi Kuo 2015 23
THANK YOU The end For your attention and interest Chengi Kuo 2015 24