Book: Changing Relationships

1. Introduction to Changing Relationships

In this book, we look at how a diagnosis of dementia can change relationships within families.

By the end of this topic you will have had an opportunity to:

• explore the impact dementia has on changing relationships within families
• identify positive ways of promoting and maintaining relationships
• discuss how to respond confidently to issues that arise within families and ways to support each other 

You will need around 70 minutes to go through the resources and activities in this section of the course.

Participating in the forums will take additional time.

To start with, let's look at the concept of 'cognitive impairment'.

2. Cognitive Impairment

Definition: Cognition comprises the mental processes that are involved in: perception; attention; memory; problem solving; reasoning and decision making.

Remember too, that the diagnosis of dementia will also have an affect on the individual with dementia.

You should be very aware of the impact dementia has had, or continues to have on the person with dementia in terms of behaviour and cognition.

3. Living with Dementia

The discovery that your loved one has dementia will have a profound effect on relationships within and between members of your family network. Take a look at this short video.

Video available to view at: https://youtu.be/7KcfLLQOLKY

This is a hugely powerful and emotional tribute from Sean-Donal to his mother who has early onset dementia. 

He also shares with us how his relationship has changed with his mother, as her condition has deteriorated.

What overriding emotion do you feel as a carer? 

4. Caring is Challenging!

Caring will have an impact - usually both positive and negative - on family carers looking after a loved one with dementia.

This video is available at: https://youtu.be/yZHH2qHOu9g

And caring is also emotional, perhaps especially for you the carer. 

What emotions are you feeling as you provide care to your loved one with dementia? This may depend on several factors such as who you are providing care to and how long you have been providing care. 

We would love to hear about your deeper feelings in the Caring is Challenging forum.

5. Promoting Relationships

Take a look at this short video presentation. It presents some tips you might like to try to help you promote and maintain relationships with the person you are caring for and with other family members.

This video is available at: https://youtu.be/DHjpj33-y3U

Share your views and experiences in the Caring is Challenging forum.

6. Additional Resources

Here are some additional leaflets that may be of interest.

Understanding and Respecting the Person with Dementia

Loss and Grief when a Family Member has Dementia

7. Conclusion

That is the end of this week's material. We do hope it has been useful and interesting for you.

 You can reflect on the material and apply it to your own situation using the Week 1: Care Delivery Action Plan. 

And please do leave us your views in the Feedback: Week 3 activity. 

Thank you.