This article draws upon six social research studies completed by members of the Dementia and Ageing Research Team at The University of Manchester and their associated networks over an eight-year period (2011–2019) with the aim of constructing a definition of ‘being in the moment’ and situating it within a continuum of moments that could be used to contextualise and frame the lived experience of dementia. Using the approach formulated by Pound et al. (2005) in synthesising qualitative studies, we identified this continuum of moments as comprising four sequential and interlinked steps: (a) ‘creating the moment’, defined as the processes and procedures necessary to enable being in the moment to take place – the time necessary for this to occur can range from fleeting to prolonged; (b) ‘being in the moment’, which refers to the multi-sensory processes involved in a personal or relational interaction and embodied engagement – being in the moment can be sustained through creativity and flow; (c) ‘ending the moment’, defined as when a specific moment is disengaged – this can be triggered by the person(s) involved consciously or subconsciously, or caused by a distraction in the environment or suchlike; and (d) ‘reliving the moment’, which refers to the opportunity for the experience(s) involved in ‘being in the moment’ to be later remembered and shared, however fragmentary, supported or full the recall.
Nurses are the main providers of care to older people and to people with dementia in a variety of settings, including acute hospitals. Behaviours that challenge in people with dementia, such as agitation, aggression and 'resistiveness', can best be understood as a form of communication based on a person's perceived and/or actual unmet need(s). This article explores ways of understanding behaviours that challenge and contains a composite case study of 'Frank', a person with severe dementia who has been admitted to an NHS inpatient mental health assessment ward. A three-step approach to investigate, formulate and personalise a range of interventions is shared (clue finding; motive identifying; and formulating, applying and evaluating interventions) together with ways of intervening in behaviours that challenge.
Background In the United Kingdom, the use of the terms ‘complex’ and ‘complexity’ alongside dementia is reflected in a number of policy and practice documents. However, there is a lack of evidence that explores how complexity is perceived, constructed and experienced by people with dementia, family carers and practitioners working in the NHS dementia inpatient assessment wards [dementia assessment wards]. Objective To explore the meaning and concept of complexity in dementia from within the setting of a dementia assessment ward and develop a practice model. Methods The study was conducted over three phases: 1) an online electronic survey of UK national dementia leaders; 2) individual interviews and a focus group with dementia practitioners in two dementia assessment wards; 3) case studies of four patients with dementia resident on a dementia assessment ward which included their identified family carer/consultee, the named clinician on the ward involved in that person’s care and a care records review. Results The findings highlighted that complexity is constructed through a number of interconnected and interrelated domains that vary in acuity. These findings have been developed into the ‘3 Fs Model of Complexity’ and the 3‘Fs’ stand for Fixed, Flexible and Fluctuating. The Fixed domain consists of six components which are always present in complexity. The Flexible domain consists of 14 components and a person with dementia may experience any number of Flexible domain components at any one time. The Fluctuating domain highlights that all components have the ability to vary in their acuity. Conclusion The ‘3 Fs Model of Complexity’ may facilitate a more holistic view of a person with dementia than when ‘symptoms’ are viewed in isolation. Going forward, and subject to further refinement and testing, the ‘3 Fs Model of Complexity’ could help guide the selection of tailored, personalised interventions for people with dementia, including formulation approaches.
The physical domain of dementia has particular relevance to nursing and nursing practice, such as providing physical care at the end-of-life. The interplay between the biological-psychological-social-physical domains of dementia and the trajectory of dementia could form the basis of clinical decision-making and practice.
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