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Karen Watchman presents part of a recent conference presentation at IASSID World Congress in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Learning Disability and Dementia: The Importance of Relearning Practice
Karen Watchman
Trainer and Consultant
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Programme
• Introduction to LD
and dementia
• Similarities and
differences
• Relevance to
practice
All images are from ‘Supporting Derek’ resource pack, photographs are actors.
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
What is different?
• Age
• Diagnosis
• Progression
• Communication
• Family situation
• Where people live
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
What is not different?
• Need for support
• Need for information
• Interventions
• Consider medication
• Need to keep active
• Terminal condition
• Need for pain
detection
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Early changes identified
• Loss of daily living
skills
• Difficulty with kerbs
• General inactivity
• Loss of sociability
• Increased irritability
• Loss of hobbies
previously enjoyed
• Stop spontaneous
communication
• Confusion
• Loss of
comprehension
• Increased walking for
no obvious reason
• Short term memory
loss (shown in
different ways)
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Diagnosis
• Diagnosis difficult
• Typical tests not suitable
• Some assessment tools
• Baseline assessments
• Diagnosis or explanation
not always shared with
person with LD
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Misdiagnosis
• Other physical
conditions
• Undiagnosed pain
• Emotional or grief
• Social
• Effects of
medication
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Communication
• Not always
verbal
• Importance of
body language
• Touch
• Pictorial
• Knowledge of
past history
important
• Communication
with the person
• Sound of silence
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Communication
• Importance of pictorial communication
• Importance of appropriate touch and affection
• Individual preferences
• Importance of silence
• Beware of under or over estimating ability
• Environmental impact
• Knowledge of previous communication strategies
• Implications of lack of shared diagnosis
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Recommendations for relearning practice
• Sharing some information about the diagnosis as an ongoing process
• Training – specialist and general
• Crossover of training between LD and dementia services
• Revise long term goals – still person centred if not independent living
• Location of care?
• Intellectual disability services to coordinate care (not older peoples services)
• Role of people with ID and dementia as experts?
• Future inclusion in research and policy
• Adapting and individualising communication
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
Contact Details
Karen Watchman
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.learningdisabilityanddementia.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karenwatchman
Copyright Karen Watchman, 2012
