Tips to Reduce Psychological Distress

Reducing psychological distress and promoting psychological well-being in individuals with dementia requires a multifaceted approach. This approach includes a combination of environmental adjustments, emotional support, and therapeutic interventions.

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects cognitive functions, memory, behaviour, and emotions.

While living in a care home presents unique challenges, several strategies can help promote psychological well-being:

1. Person-centred Care: Person-centred care is essential for individuals with dementia. This approach involves understanding and meeting the unique needs and preferences of each resident. It emphasises creating a supportive and engaging environment that promotes autonomy, dignity, and a sense of meaning and purpose.

2. Validate Emotions: Always acknowledge the feelings and emotions of the person with dementia. Demonstrate active listening through positive body language and give them enough time to formulate, process and speak. Validating their emotions shows that their feelings matter and can help reduce distress.

3. Familiar, Structured Environment with Established Routines: People with dementia often benefit from a familiar and structured environment. Consistency in routines, familiar objects, and clear graphical signage help reduce confusion and anxiety. A calm, soothing atmosphere can alleviate agitation, and avoiding loud noises, clutter, and other potential triggers or stressors is crucial. Soft lighting and soothing colours with good illumination can create a more comfortable space and ambience.

4. Meaningful Activities: Engaging residents in meaningful activities can have a positive impact on their psychological well-being. Activities tailored to their interests and abilities - such as music therapy, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, or gentle exercise programs - stimulate cognitive function, improve mood, and reduce behavioural symptoms.

5. Social Interaction and Companionship: Social interaction is essential for human beings and is vital for maintaining psychological well-being. Encourage regular socialisation with staff, other residents, and family members. Group activities, support groups, and regular visits from loved ones help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation and foster emotional connectivity and engagement.

6. Emotional Support and Empathy: People with dementia may experience frustration, anxiety, or sadness. Providing emotional support, showing empathy, and validating their feelings can help alleviate distress. Staff training in dementia care and communication techniques is key to providing the best emotional support.

7. Individualised Communication Approaches: Effective communication is essential when interacting with individuals with dementia. Use simple, clear language, speak slowly, maintain eye contact, and allow lots of time for responses. Non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, also enhance communication and understanding. Appropriate touch, such as on the hand, may offer comfort and reassurance to some people.

8. Provide Sensory Stimulation: Where appropriate and without contraindications, sensory stimulation can promote relaxation. Sensory experience include how we receive information through all of our senses (sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing) from the world around us. Ensure the messages received are soft, kind and clear. Aromatherapy, gentle massage, and tactile objects are examples of techniques that can help promote emotional regulation and provide comfort.

9. Maintain Physical Health: Ensure the person with dementia receives a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene. These physical health factors play a crucial role in overall psychological well-being.

10. Medication Management: Careful management of medications is essential to avoid adverse effects. If you notice possible side effects, inform the relevant medical professionals promptly. Best practice guidelines (e.g., National Guideline No. 21) highlight the importance of monitoring for polypharmacy and coordinating with the person’s GP or nurse to review medications regularly. See Treatment of Delirium »

11. Staff Training and Support: Nursing home staff should receive adequate training in dementia care to better understand the needs and behaviours of residents. Ongoing education, support, and supervision can enhance staff skills in providing person-centred care and managing responsive behaviours effectively. See Education / CPD »

12. Regular Assessment and Adjustment of Care Plans: Regular assessments of residents’ psychological well-being are crucial to identifying changes or emerging needs. Care plans should be flexible and adjusted as necessary to address individual preferences, changing abilities, and developing needs.

Collaborative Approach for Optimal Wellbeing

It’s crucial to understand that promoting psychological well-being in individuals with dementia requires a multidisciplinary approach. Healthcare professionals, caregivers, and family members must collaborate to create a supportive and enriching environment that enhances the quality of life for people living with dementia in nursing homes.