M2- Discuss the role of teamwork in improving the health and quality of life for people with
dementia.
D1- Evaluate how different approaches to caring for people with dementia can affect individual
outcomes.
Individuals that suffer from dementia benefit from a number of health professionals working
together. This may be nursing homes and physiotherapists working together, this will benefit the
patient as all their needs are met by the combined team. A physiotherapist is recommended as they
can improve the patient’s movement, as well as keeping them as active as possible, for as long as
possible. Also, if the patient is living in a nursing home, their support worker can work alongside
their physiotherapist to ensure that all the assigned exercises are being carried out correctly. In
doing this, the support worker is ensuring that the patient can stay physically able to be
independent. With improving the individual’s movement, the chance of them hurting themselves
through falling will decrease. But this may not be the case if the support worker does not assist the
patient with their exercises. If this is not done then the patients quality of life or health will not
improve, meaning that they will not be independent when carrying out daily tasks.
A pharmacist and occupational therapist will benefit the dementia patient as they can communicate
and fulfil the patients needs. The pharmacist can provide the patient with the medication needed, as
well as make notes on any issues that may arise, either with the patient or medication. For example,
the patient may not be able to grip their hands to carry out daily tasks such as;
Feeding
Washing
Eating
Taking medicine
To overcome these issues, the pharmacist may provide the medicine in easy to open bottles, and the
occupational therapist can provide suitable cutlery so the patient can be independent. Due to both
teams working together, the patient will receive a high level of care. Also, tools to assist the
individual can be placed into their home, this may be hand rails in the bathroom or on the stairs,
which will aid them when getting up alone when their movement is restricted. This allows the
individual to be independent in more areas of their daily lives, as well as being safe when showering
as the chances of them slipping is minimised. Issues may arise if the teamwork is not put into place,
this may incuse the patient not eating due to them being unable to feed themselves. They may also
stop taking medication due to them being unable to open the packaging. Each of these things could
lead to serious health complications.
There are a number of services that can work together to maintain and improve an individual’s
dementia. Them working together ensures that the patient receives a good quality of care and
health. But this is only possible if a multi health professional team is put together.
Helping a person with dementia to make decisions about their care
Dementia can make it difficult for an individual to make choices without assistance. However, some
people with dementia do not acknowledge that they have dementia, therefore, they are less likely to
request help. Other people with dementia accept that they have dementia and develop an insight to
their situation. There are a number of ways that an individual could offer support when it comes to
making choices, these are;
Provide clear information about the choices that they are making