Daily Lessons from Life 09 April 2014 - A "Spark of Life" for dementia patients in Singapore

"A "Spark of Life" for dementia patients in Singapore - CNA 09 April 2014

SINGAPORE: A dementia care methodology from Australia will be integrated into care for dementia patients here in Singapore -- the "Spark of Life" programme uses a person-centred system of care that is helpful for those with dementia.

Some 40 staff from Tsao Foundation's Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing recently completed the practitioner course on Monday. It is meant to further strengthen the person-centred care already practised at the centre.

Details of the programme include engaging with compassion and awakening the dormant language in those with dementia.

Experts said although dementia is a multi-faceted condition, its care is mostly focused on physical and environmental aspects, and not on its psycho-emotional dimension. Thus, there is an urgent need to ensure personnel training is geared toward handling its challenges.

Response to the programme has been positive as it is a total blank for the patient and an extremely painful experience for the caregivers and those who love the particular patient - the person.

Jane Verity, founder and CEO of Dementia Care Australia and the creator of the "Spark of Life" programme, said: "It's like they can suddenly do something, instead of just sitting back and seeing it all happen in front of them and feeling helpless.

"It is actually giving them real hope and giving them practical strategies, that they can implement straight away and they can see a difference, right there and then.""

Personally dementia is one of the most dreaded diseases anyone can developed as it is very painful and wrenching for the caregivers while it might be a total blank for the patients with their forgetfulness and 'naughtiness'!

Lessons for me are:

1. if we can find a way to prevent dementia from developing, it must be worth the search and research;

2. if someone developed dementia, it is important to slow it down with whatever methods available. At the same time, for those who had slightly advance or advance dementia, any methods to revive or refresh whatever memories the patients may have must be tried - 'Spark of Life' or whatever that works or seems to work!;

3. in a dementia situation, the most important person or persons to take care of is or are the caregiver or caregivers. Emotionally they must be trained to be 'unemotional' in respect with the painful forgetfulness or 'being very difficult' or whatever as the patients are NOT themselves. It is only with a very serene and accepting attitude can the caregivers start to apply whatever practical and useful methods to interact with the patients will they be successful and effective. 

One of my favourite quote on dementia is this profound statement by an old man who visited his dementia wife every day without fail when the nurses asked him: 'why did you keep coming to visit her when she cannot remember who you are?' : "Precisely because she cannot remember me BUT I DO REMEMBER her!'

With a strong and proper mind-set, the caregivers can become stronger practicing effective interacting and caring skills with the patients that they still care and love.

Power to the caregivers. Blessing to the patients.