Dementia care team support: why one carer is not enough
Quick answer
A care team matters in dementia care because relying on one person is risky. At CogMission, we find that a patient’s outcome depends strongly on how committed their carers are. If a single carer becomes ill, routine can break down and the patient may deteriorate quickly. A back up person and regular breaks help keep care going.
One of the most reliable predictors of the outcome of the treatment is how committed the care team is to support the patient. We ask a lot of our patient’s carers and so we also make sure before we consider taking on a patient that a certain level of care is in place. However, sometimes the responsibility of care falls to one single person and that becomes a very risky situation.
At Cogmission, our role is only to make the recommendations, but the real ground work is done by friends, family and carers. This week we had a very good example. We were surprised and disappointed to see a rapid deterioration in one of our patients who had made remarkable progress over several months. This gentleman has done so well on the programme as his wife is very devoted to his care.
It didn’t take long for his wife to tell us that she had been very ill with flu and was unable to even get out of bed. Within just a week, her husband had deteriorated significantly. Although this could be due to not following the programme as well, the stress of not having his usual routine had completely derailed him.
From experience, we know that we will be able to get him back on track but every relapse that a patient has makes it a little harder to come back from. It is therefore important for carers to have a back up plan in place, in cases where they are unable to continue the programme so that we maintain continuity. We therefor suggest having another friend or family member who is familiar with the plan who would be able to step in at short-notice. This also becomes critical giving the carer a much-needed respite from care.
Caring for a loved one with Dementia is gruelling. It is a 24-hour, non-stop situation. It is essential that the carer is given enough breaks to be able to sustain long-term support to the individual. So, ideally what we need is a care team rather than relying on one single individual. Ask for help as often there are friends and family who would love to help but don’t know what it is that they can do. Make them familiar with the programme and what is involved so that they can step in during emergencies, or even just for respite.
Most importantly, make sure that if you are the carer, you firstly take care of yourself. As selfish as this may sound. The healthier and happier the carer is, the better the outcome for everyone. So, take that deserved break, call on others for help, and allow the care to continue for periods in your absence.
At CogMission, we believe strongly in supporting the carers of our patients. Please speak to us about any concerns you have around your own health and well-being.
Common questions
Why is a care team important when caring for someone with dementia?
At CogMission, we find that one of the most reliable predictors of treatment outcome is how committed the care team is. When care falls to a single person, the situation becomes very risky. A wider team helps keep the routine going and gives the main carer breaks.
What happens if the main carer of a person with dementia becomes ill?
One CogMission patient deteriorated significantly within a week after his wife, his main carer, became too ill with flu to get out of bed. We felt the stress of losing his usual routine had derailed him, though not following the programme as well may also have played a part.
How can carers of someone with dementia get a break?
We suggest asking friends and family for help, as many would like to help but do not know how. Make them familiar with the programme so they can step in during emergencies or for respite. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a 24-hour, non-stop situation.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.