2. Introduction

This week explores the psychosocial  needs of people with later stage dementia. By “psychosocial” we mean mental and social conditions that are important to health and wellbeing. Social conditions include relationships and home environments, while psychological conditions indicate the person's way of dealing with relationships and conditions, cognitively and emotionally.

This unit also explores the emotional wellbeing and dignity of the person with dementia. We will identify the universal needs of people at end of life, and consider those needs in the context of dementia. 

You will also identify barriers to enhancing dignity and emotional wellbeing, and we will set out strategies to minimise those barriers. We will also look at interventions that can enhance emotional wellbeing. We will consider the importance of stimulation of senses. 

Finally, we will examine the dying phase and consider how a person's needs change as they enter the last days of life.