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Care Professional
Apply CAUSEd to Understand Behaviour Changes
The CAUSEd problem-solving tool is designed to encourage caregivers and care professionals to understand the behaviours of persons living with dementia as a form of communication with their social and physical environments. In turn, caregivers and care professionals can identify the possible triggers for the behaviours, and minimize the impact of behaviours by developing and [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Apply CAUSEd to Understand Behaviour Changes
The CAUSEd problem-solving tool is designed to encourage caregivers and care professionals to understand the behaviours of persons living with dementia as a form of communication with their social and physical environments. In turn, caregivers and care professionals can identify the possible triggers for the behaviours, and minimize the impact of behaviours by developing and [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Dementia Progression & Behaviour Changes
The progression of dementia comes along with changes in your loved one’s: • Abilities in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) • Behaviours • Cognitive Function • Orientation to People, Places and Time Dementia progression and its corresponding behaviour changes require the appropriate response from caregivers. With the necessary information and resources at hand, you will [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Sharing Caregiving Responsibilities: Gathering the Family
A family discussion on sharing caregiving responsibilities can be very helpful when your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia. Some families may think it is taboo to discuss concerns revolving around dementia, but it is important for family members to be clear that the family discussion is about honouring your loved one’s preferences and [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Preparing for Doctor’s Visit
Being well-prepared for a doctor's visit will be beneficial to you and your loved one living with dementia. Keep a symptom diary for your loved one A diary helps you keep track of signs and symptoms experienced by your loved one. Record the symptoms or behaviours exhibited – when and how they started and how [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Designing a Daily Routine
Persons living with dementia often feel confused and disoriented, especially when their memories begin to blur and their functions start to deteriorate. Your loved one living with dementia may have difficulties in performing his/ her usual tasks as their condition progresses. Designing a daily routine is a good way to provide them with some structure. [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Supporting Activities of Daily Living
As the condition of persons living with dementia progresses, their abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) deteriorate as well. ADLs refer to routine activities which most persons have learned to perform from young and usually do on a daily basis without any assistance.1 However, due to dementia, individuals gradually become unable to perform [...] Read More
Care Professional
Dementia Progression & Behaviour Changes
The progression of dementia comes along with changes in persons living with dementia: • Abilities in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) • Behaviours • Cognitive Function • Orientation to People, Places and Time Dementia progression and its corresponding behaviour changes require the appropriate response from caregivers. With the necessary information and resources at hand, you [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Helping Your Loved One Who Lives Alone
Persons living with dementia, especially in the earlier stages of dementia, may choose to live alone to maintain their independence for as long as possible, or to remain in a familiar neighbourhood. As the dementia progresses to moderate and advanced stages, it is likely that alternate living arrangements have to be made. Here are some [...] Read More
Care Professional
Sharing Caregiving Responsibilities: Gathering the Family
A family discussion on sharing caregiving responsibilities can be very helpful when someone in the family has been diagnosed with dementia. Some families may think it is taboo to discuss concerns revolving around dementia, but it is important for family members to be clear that the family discussion is about honouring the preferences and wishes [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Taking Public Transportation
Public transportation is a common mode of transport for people in Singapore. This does not change even with the onset of dementia. Having an easily accessible transportation system enables persons living with dementia to stay connected to their friends, families, and community. It also provides access to healthcare service locations, such as the hospital. Challenges [...] Read More
Care Professional
Designing a Daily Routine
Persons living with dementia often feel confused and disoriented, especially when their memories begin to blur and their functions start to deteriorate. They may have difficulties in performing his/ her usual tasks as their condition progresses. Designing a daily routine is a good way to provide them with some structure. Planning activities they enjoy can [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Why Do Behavioural Changes Happen?
Dementia is accompanied by behavioural changes, which affect your loved one living with dementia and all of you around him/her. Behavioural changes can be one of the aspects of dementia that are most difficult to address. Persons living with dementia who experience behavioural changes are often described as having a “completely different personality” from their [...] Read More
Care Professional
Supporting Activities of Daily Living
As the condition of persons living with dementia progresses, their abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) deteriorate as well. ADLs refer to routine activities which most persons have learned to perform from young and usually do on a daily basis without any assistance.1 However, due to dementia, individuals gradually become unable to perform [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Managing Agitation & Aggression
At some point, your loved one living with dementia may behave aggressively, display an outburst of emotions, or act angrily towards individuals around them. Defining Agitation & Aggression Agitation A set of behaviours that involve a person living with dementia experiencing verbal or motor anxiety.1 Aggression A further level of agitation in which the behaviours [...] Read More
Care Professional
Helping A Person With Dementia Who Lives Alone
Persons living with dementia, especially in the earlier stages of dementia, may choose to live alone to maintain their independence for as long as possible, or to remain in a familiar neighbourhood. As the dementia progresses to moderate and advanced stages, it is likely that alternate living arrangements have to be made. Here are some [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Mealtime Behaviours
Persons living with dementia may sometimes refuse to eat. They may become angry, agitated, or challenging to feed during mealtimes. This can happen for a variety of reasons: • Disliking the food • Feeling rushed • Feeling uncomfortable with people or the environment • Feeling frustrated with the difficulties they are having It can be [...] Read More
Care Professional
Taking Public Transportation
Public transportation is a common mode of transport for people in Singapore. This does not change even with the onset of dementia. Having an easily accessible transportation system enables persons living with dementia to stay connected to their friends, families, and community. It also provides access to healthcare service locations, such as the hospital. Challenges [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Managing Sundowning
What Is Sundowning? Your loved one living with dementia may display behaviour changes particularly in the evening which include agitation, aggression, confusion and restlessness. This is known as sundowning and often occurs in the moderate to severe stages of dementia. There is now a Night Respite service available for caregivers of persons living with dementia [...] Read More
Care Professional
Why Do Behavioural Changes Happen?
Dementia is accompanied by behavioural changes, which affect persons living with dementia and individuals around them. Behavioural changes can be one of the aspects of dementia that are most difficult to address. Persons living with dementia who experience behavioural changes are often described as having a “completely different personality” from their “old self”. Different behaviour [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Managing Wandering Behaviour
Many persons living with dementia feel the urge to walk about and in some cases leave their homes. Though it is sometimes termed as “wandering”, it is rarely ever aimless. Persons living with dementia may simply not remember where they had set out to go, or what they had intended to do. It is all [...] Read More
Care Professional
Managing Agitation & Aggression
At some point, persons living with dementia may behave aggressively, display an outburst of emotions, or act angrily towards individuals around them. Defining Agitation & Aggression Agitation A set of behaviours that involve a person living with dementia experiencing verbal or motor anxiety.1 Aggression A further level of agitation in which the behaviours can be [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Additional Resources for Other Behaviour Changes
1. Talking Point | CNA Insider Looking after a loved one living with dementia can be frustrating. In this episode of Talking Point, it provides you with some tips on what to do when you face the following 3 scenarios - when your loved one living with dementia: 1. Refuses to bathe 2. Forgets that [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Swallowing Difficulties & Soft Diets
Difficulties With Swallowing In the later stages of dementia, a person living with dementia can develop severe difficulties with swallowing. Changes in parts of the brain that control swallowing may affect and weaken the muscles involved, affecting various parts of the eating process. As a result, the person living with dementia may not maintain sufficient [...] Read More
Care Professional
Mealtime Behaviours
Persons living with dementia may sometimes refuse to eat. They may become angry, agitated, or challenging to feed during mealtimes. This can happen for a variety of reasons: • Disliking the food • Feeling rushed • Feeling uncomfortable with people or the environment • Feeling frustrated with the difficulties they are having It can be [...] Read More
Care Professional
Managing Sundowning
What Is Sundowning? A person living with dementia may display behaviour changes particularly in the evening which include agitation, aggression, confusion and restlessness. This is known as sundowning and often occurs in the moderate to severe stages of dementia. There is now a Night Respite service available for caregivers of persons living with dementia who [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Managing Constipation
Constipation is common in persons living with dementia given their reduced awareness, and especially those who are older persons who may be relatively immobile. Poor food, fibre and fluid intake may also cause constipation. Constipation is a source of discomfort, and can worsen confusion and agitation. It also makes passing urine more difficult and can [...] Read More
Care Professional
Managing Wandering Behaviour
Many persons living with dementia feel the urge to walk about and in some cases leave their homes. Though it is sometimes termed as “wandering”, it is rarely ever aimless. Persons living with dementia may simply not remember where they had set out to go, or what they had intended to do. It is all [...] Read More
Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Managing Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in dementia. As the disease progresses, your loved one may become less aware of their toileting needs and urinate unconsciously. Deterioration may lead to urinary tract infection, an enlarged prostate gland, drinking too much caffeinated beverages, impaired mobility, and constipation. It may be helpful to: • Take them to [...] Read More
Care Professional
Additional Resources for Other Behaviour Changes
1. Behavioural and psycholoigcal symptoms of dementia: Assessment and management In this journal article by Dr Vanessa Mok (2019), a consultant from Changi General Hospital’s department of psychological medicine, she explains the various causes of behaviour changes associated with dementia, such as: • Neurobiology; • Acute medical conditions; • Unmet needs; • Pre-existing personality; • [...] Read More
Care Professional
Swallowing Difficulties & Soft Diets
Difficulties With Swallowing In the later stages of dementia, a person living with dementia can develop severe difficulties with swallowing. Changes in parts of the brain that control swallowing may affect and weaken the muscles involved, affecting various parts of the eating process. As a result, the person living with dementia may not maintain sufficient [...] Read More
Care Professional
Managing Constipation
Constipation is common in persons living with dementia given their reduced awareness, and especially those who are older persons who may be relatively immobile. Poor food, fibre and fluid intake may also cause constipation. Constipation is a source of discomfort, and can worsen confusion and agitation. It also makes passing urine more difficult and can [...] Read More
Care Professional
