A time capsule for patients with dementia?

Abstract

An individual who is approaching the end of a long life will often gain comfort from exploring his or her experiences in emotional and spiritual terms. This is widely recognized, and help is usually at hand for those wishing to address dilemmas relating to religion and values. However, this option will not be available to those who, because of dementia, have lost the ability to communicate on these matters. A caregiver or clinician may fail to grasp the experiences that hold religious and spiritual significance for the patient, and there has been little discussion of how mental health practitioners should address the issue. In this paper we present arguments that lead to the proposal for 'time capsules' whereby patients with early dementia can set down their thoughts and so exercise a degree of control over subsequent events.

Dementia. A personal legacy beyond words

“…These are transpersonal, spiritual principles, an approach very familiar to spiritual advisors and chaplains. It is with the help of chaplains that this resource is currently being developed (Lawrence & Head, 2005), supporting the growth of literature and interest in palliative care in dementia (MacKinlay, 2006).…”

“…If the individual is considered to be dehumanized, opportunities to negotiate positive psychological outcomes, and to seek the final acceptance and resolution, may be overlooked (Lawrence, 2003;Lawrence & Duggal, 2001;Lawrence & Head, 2005). However, a clinician who becomes aware of the flaws of an incongruent medical approach here could venture into the field of the transpersonal and spiritual.…”