Person Centred Care
The Care Giver
The Spiritual Journey
and the Churches Role
Presentation by Mrs Janet Jacob
Psychiatric nurse & former homes manager for
Pilgrims Friend Society
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Pilgrims Friend Society is 204 years old
Exists solely to serve older Christians
Began by providing pensions – long before the Welfare
State (1807)
Offers residential, nursing, dementia care, sheltered
housing, including ECH
Shares experience and information with publications,
seminars and conferences.
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Person Centred Care
The Care Giver
The Spiritual Journey
and the Churches Role
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Person Centred Care
We expect a pill for nearly every
condition.
At present there is no cure for
dementia.
Personal knowledge is vital for good
care.
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Person Centred Care
Prof Tom Kitwood – Bradford University
• 1997 - Introduced the concept of person centred care.
Moved focus from the medical mindset to the
individual.
The brain is not a mechanical rigid structure
• It has plasticity
• Responds to the treatment the person receives
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Person Centred Care
Penny Garner – Professional carer
‘Contented Dementia’ - takes Tom
Kitwood’s concepts to a new level
Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer’s
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Person Centred Care
A practical approach based on
knowledge of the individual.
Ability to identify the persons inner
landscape.
Knowledge of their life themes and core
beliefs.
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Person Centred Care
Caring for the person with dementia
‘It is important to see the person first rather than the
dementia’ – Tom Kirkwood
Each human face is unique, and
so is each human brain. Each
person with Dementia is
unique, with very different
experiences of life, with their
own needs and feelings, likes
and dislikes.
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Person Centred Care
Caring for the person with dementia
 Discover the person
 Give respect
 Focus on their abilities
 Encourage expressions
 Create community and trust
Remember:• The person is still the same.
• Focus on the person not the dementia.
• Good care depends on understanding and knowing.
• Carers relationship is therapeutic in itself.
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Caring for the care-giver
Despite our welfare system, the major
role in care-giving
is still taken on by family members,
very often an elderly spouse.
The person with dementia is
not on this journey alone, the
caregiver is walking beside
them.
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Caring for the care-giver
Caring for a person with dementia is different to other
types of care giving, and is one of the most difficult
situations encountered by caregivers.
 Usually 24/7
 May involve 3 to 15 years of caring
 2/3rds of people with dementia are cared for in their
own homes by a relative
 At present there are 540,000 care givers
 A new case is diagnosed every 3.2 minutes
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Caring for the care-giver
Care givers experience
 Continuing losses
 Anticipatory grief
 Role captivity
 Emotional reactions
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Caring for the care-giver
Importance of relationships
• Avoid isolation
• Share the diagnoses
• Let the church family know
• Prepare for the future
• Anticipate your feelings
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Caring for the care-giver
Care givers needs
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Empathy
Re-assurance
Time for self
Share the responsibility
Assessment of needs
Talk to others
Human contact
Spiritual encouragement
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The Spiritual Journey
Christine Bryden
‘I believe that people with dementia are making an important
journey from cognition, through emotion, into spirit.
I’ve begun to realise what really remains through this journey
is what is really important.
I think that if society could appreciate this, then people with
dementia would be treasured and accepted’.
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The Spiritual Journey
People with dementia are on a pilgrimage
• They need fellowship and encouragement
The person does not change
• The core of the person is still inside
The King will reply ‘ I tell you the truth
whatever you did for the least of these
brothers of mine you did it for me’. Matt 25:40
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The Spiritual Journey
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
Isaiah 43:2-3
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