Fundamental Needs Of People
With Dementia
 Attachment – Security & Relationship
 Comfort – Feeling Of Warmth & Love
 Identity – Who One Is
 Occupation – Being Involved In Activity
 Inclusion – Feeling Part Of A Group
Kitwood (2001)
Evidence Based Research
Many researchers found that having friends can act as
a defensive factor against some of the negative effects
of dementia, these include:
1.
Psychologically – Boredom, Isolation & Depression
2.
Socially – Withdrawn, Mood, Personality Change, Out
Bursts.
3.
Functional – Cooking, Personal care, Domestic Duties
Harris (2011)
Case Study
 Rita, 86 year old with dementia for one year. She
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Lives alone with private home support. Rita
retired nurse. She was an active lady and valued
member of her community and played bridge for
over 30 years.
Since diagnosis Rita has had a slow decline in her
cognitive state. Her mood is low, she is isolated
and very much withdrawn into herself.
Rita attends the local day centre one day a week
but doesn't interact within a group or individuals.
Rita could no longer attend her bridge club due to
incontinence and confusion(7 months ago).
Rita's goal is to continue playing bridge.
“Oh I love
playing Bridge,
I’ve played it for
years”
Case Study – Aims & Goals
 Education of her friends & neighbours:
 Claire is friend of 53 years who she played bridge with.
 The reason for Claire’s withdrawal was that she didn’t know
how to communicate with Rita.
• Advocating Rita’s desires to return to playing bridge.
• The importance of life long friends – Reminiscence therapy
& auto-biological therapy.
• Re-engaging Rita's friends back into her life.
Case Study – Outcome &Results
Results
 Rita has now returned to bridge.
 Rita’s friends are now active in her life.
 Claire has resumed in taking Rita to the bridge club and this appears to
be working very well (requires prompting and assistance)”Rita can still play
bridge”
 Rita’s other friend calls one morning a week and takes her for a walk.
Outcome
 Rita is more psychologically involved, her social interaction has
improved and her functional ability have showed a mild
improvement in a short period.