Katrina shares how becoming a Dementia Friend has helped in her journey supporting her mother, and the impact it has had in her professional life as a dental hygienist, allowing her to understand and offer support to patients affected by dementia.
"My mother was diagnosed with late onset mild Alzheimer’s some five years ago and I initially noticed how in certain circumstances she would become more confused, often covering it up with ‘oh goodness, my memory’, and then sensed her becoming inwardly ashamed because she did something ‘wrong’. Her confidence became more undermined, and she often became disconnected socially and would often sleep for long periods of time.
"I was inspired to become a Dementia Friend as I was eager to learn more about the person with dementia, how they see the world, how the disease affects them and more importantly how I could be a better person by being a friend to someone with dementia.
"I’d definitely recommend becoming a Dementia Friend, it certainly gives you a deeper understanding easily put into practice in both your personal and professional life.
"I am a dental hygienist and have worked in one practice for many years; it is a family practice, but a proportion of the demographic is elderly. I had noticed subtle changes in some patients to later learn they had been diagnosed with dementia. I wanted to be the best I could be for anyone affected by dementia, whether that person was my mother or not.
"Since becoming a Dementia Frend, I feel more empathy and understanding towards my dental patients, it makes those coming for an appointment more comfortable knowing I have the knowledge and experience. I have a sign on my surgery door to say that I’m a Dementia Friend and I like that.
"Having a knowledge of dementia in my job is helpful in other ways too. It’s so important to maintain good oral health as any treatment could be a traumatic experience, so prevention is key. Medication can cause a dry mouth, so I am able to advise on the best way to alleviate this.
"The Dementia Friends video illustrated how everyday things may become distorted; a mirror may cause confusion as someone may see themselves and not recognise their own reflection; how a puddle or a rug may be perceived as a hole in the ground. Everyday things may appear threatening and cause that person to be scared. If I am aware of these situations then the knowledge can be a platform to build upon, my ultimate goal is to be the best person I can be around anyone with dementia.
"When my mother was first diagnosed, I requested leaflets from Alzheimer’s Society for my father who was her carer until he passed away three years ago. I don’t see my mother’s Alzheimer’s as a disease that has robbed me of her, I see it as who she is now. I am so very grateful of all the care she receives.
"Nowadays, she drifts from being asleep to being awake but rarely opens her eyes and is almost completely bed bound. But when she does open her eyes and I get that tiny flicker of recognition that I am with her, it fills me with so much love and joy. Just being with her is what I love and when words cannot be said, who needs words when just being there and holding a hand suffices? So much can be conveyed by a squeeze of a hand and often her tight grip is reassurance of everything I need to feel.
"I bought her a present at Christmas of her favourite perfume she always used to wear. She had trouble opening the wrapping but soon she recognised the bottle, feeling every curve of it, exploring it with her fingers and her mouth as a young child would do. And when I sprayed it on her I could see the recognition of the scent in her face. How powerful a scent can be, triggering memories of days gone by. She looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘thank you’ and held onto the bottle and went to sleep.
"As a Dementia Friend, I support Alzheimer’s Society in other ways too – I make monthly donations and have volunteered a couple of times (and will continue do so in the future) at the Memory Walk in Chelmsford. It’s an amazing get together, raising money, raising awareness, it’s such a wholesome event and I always come away with a huge sense of commitment and inclusion.
"It’s so important to be on the same level as a person with dementia, to be there wherever he or she is in their mind, never be confrontational, and most of all be kind."
