Living Better With Dementia: Strengths-Based Social Work Practice and Dementia Care

Abstract

This article first argues that quality of life is possible despite the onset of dementia in late life. It also demonstrates how core concepts of social work practice, such as family systems theory, the strengths perspective, and use of self, can be applied to practice with dementia-affected persons. In addition, it provides practical suggestions for supporting care partners in nurturing "we-ness", focusing on what remains rather than was is lost, and remaining authentic. When strengths-based social work practice is integrated into dementia care protocols, wellbeing can increase. As a result, the more than 40 million persons worldwide who are affected by dementia do not have to resign themselves to the despair, devastation and inevitable demise of quality of life that dominate perception of the illness.

What is yet to come? Couples living with dementia orienting themselves towards an uncertain future

“…The findings from this study suggest that couples living with dementia may need additional support in managing dementia, support that is beyond what is normally provided within social services. This result is in line with what researchers within the field of social work have already suggested (see for instance, McGovern, 2011McGovern, , 2015Nilsson, 2017;Tanner, 2010Tanner, , 2013. The present paper adds to existing knowledge by suggesting that in order to meet the couples' challenges connected to dementia, communicative support such as therapeutic couple-directed support, as well as self-directed support is needed.…”

“…Having life challenged by a chronic illness is a common reason for many to be in contact with social work practice as well as research, a situation that social workers have to relate to in terms of offering support and providing appropriate services at an early stage (Campbell et al, 2016;Johnston and Terp, 2015;McGovern, 2015). Social workers may need additional ways of meeting couples' requests for more, or complementary, information about their future (Ö sterholm et al, 2015).…”

“…Several studies have highlighted the importance of social workers and professional carers paying attention to the emotional content of stories told by people with dementia, regardless of their potential lack of coherent verbal storytelling ability (McGovern, 2011;Tanner, 2013). At the same time, research has shown that support available for couples managing dementia is insufficient, both in terms of emotion-focused support as well as problem-oriented support (Hellstro¨m and Torres, 2016;McGovern, 2015). Knowledge of how couples talk about their future with dementia as well as adapt to it is scarce, and even less is known about how they do it jointly.…”

Living Life and Doing Things Together: Collaborative Research With Couples Where One Partner Has a Diagnosis of Dementia

“…Robinson et al 2015;Grand et al 2011;SCIE, 2015; Alzheimer's Association; Hellström & Torres, 2016 Adapting activity to capability Adapting capability to activity (and goals of activities), in order to feel that activities are manageable and successful. Genoe & Dupuis, 2014, McGovern, 2015Groat and Weems, 2009;McRae, 2010 Doing things together Everyday chores and activities are meaningful and an important source of pleasure and opportunity to do things together. Balfour, 2014;Genoe & Dupuis, 2014;Reilly et al 2006.…”

Facing dementia as a we: Investigating couples’ challenges and communicative strategies for managing dementia

“…These include aspects of collaboration and strategies, and of we-ness as a resource but also as a challenge in managing dementia. In line with McGovern (2011McGovern ( , 2015 and others, I support a new model for social work and dementia practice, policy and research, where the focus would lie not in the decline of abilities but rather in the strengths and challenges involving individuals, relationships and interaction. By taking a relational, interactional and embodied approach towards understanding life with dementia, this model poses challenges to existing legislation for dementia care.…”