Dementia with Dignity: Methods to Reduce Incidence and Severity of Challenging Encounters

Abstract

Psychological and behavioral challenges are frequently exhibited by individuals living with dementia. Often the interaction between a caregiver and the individual is the precipitant for those behaviors. The leadership of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) identified a knowledge and skills gap in staff preparedness to respond to behavioral challenges exhibited by individuals diagnosed with dementia. These behaviors complicate the delivery of adequate care and preservation of the individual’s dignity. They can also lead to caregiver fatigue, caregiver attrition, and emotional, verbal, or physical harm to the individual living with dementia. The primary objective of the Dementia with Dignity project was to enhance caregiver knowledge and confidence in their skills through targeted didactic and experiential educational sessions. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys. Immediately post-intervention, participants showed significant increases in dementia knowledge and competence, suggesting an enhanced level of caregiver preparedness to engage individuals affected by dementia. Although an unmeasured objective, it was anticipated that these enhanced skills would contribute to the preservation of dignity and the enhancement of quality of life for those living with dementia.