The Dementia Well FNQ

Introduction to the dementia well fnq

Introducing Nela and Claire, 2 registered nurses who are demystifying dementia, they have over 60 years of aged care and dementia experience and wish to share their knowledge. 

What is dementia?

Nela and Claire talk about the definition of dementia and what that means, they give examples of normal brain function and what it might look like if the brain was not working like it should.

Normal ageing vs not normal ageing

In this episode I discuss what is normal with forgetting words and names and what is not normal. I look at how we change and adapt our style in different situations and how a person living with dementia might react and how this might look.

The stress response

What is stress? and how do we respond to it? how do people living with dementia respond to stress? what can we do about it? All the questions are looked into and discussed in this episode. Nela talks through how to bring someone down from a panic attack and how a daily routine can help to keep stress at bay.

Purposeful Movement

Nela talks with Brady from his KX Pilates studio about the importance of purposeful movement for the mind and body to help reduce cognitive decline and reduce stress. They discuss how to build core strength to prevent falls and how to develop a program that will suit you so that it becomes a lifestyle rather than a chore.

Things to note for a diagnosis

we look at some of the common signs and symptoms to look for when considering visiting the GP for a diagnosis of dementia. I give examples, tips on how to handle some of these and where to go to get some help or advice. Helpful web sites include Home | Dementia Australia and Alzheimer's & Dementia Help | Australia | Alzheimer's Association

Routine in the early stages

Nela talks to a diversional therapist about the importance of setting up a normal routine with some helpful tips on how to respond to some tricky situations and an explanation of why this is happening. Resource mentioned in episode: Homepage - Positive Approach to Care (teepasnow.com)

from the doctors point of view

Chatting with a local GP and asking questions like "when should you visit the GP is visiting as early as possible important, what medications are available and what do they do? and what stages are there and how long do they last?
we also discuss the importance of getting help early. 
Carers Australia | The voice for carers across Australia

Brain changes and vision changes

Nela talks about how the brain takes in data from our eyes to our brain, normal vision changes as we age and the changes in vision for the person living with dementia and how we can change what we do to improve our communication with them.

Language and the changing brain

Nela talks about how there are brain changes and how the affect language, speech and comprehension. how these changes show up in the person living with dementia and what we can do to assist them to understand and to initial tasks is a stress free way.