This explores what dementia is and how it affects a person. Addressing stigma, providing prevention strategies, the importance of dementia-friendly communities, and how to separate conditions such as delirium and depression from dementia.

There are more than 200 different types of dementia, the most common being Alzheimers, vascular, Parkinson’s, Frontotemporal, Lewy body, alcohol-related and mixed dementia.

To provide the best possible care and quality of life for people living with dementia, we must first understand the different types of dementia. Depending on the type, a person’s levels of resilience, life experiences, support network, and how far their dementia has progressed will contribute to how it affects their brain.

By gaining this understanding we can improve how we engage and communicate with people living with dementia. As a profoundly individual journey we must work to destigmatise dementia so that we see the person and not the diagnosis.

Adapting living spaces encourages easy orientation and independence with everyday activities in life. Effective communication supports lower stress levels and meaningful connections.

Understanding that a person’s ability to maintain everyday activities reinforces their sense of self and helps them to feel safe in their environment. Effective care partnerships can support a person to live their own life well.

Many people living with dementia are unable to retain short-term memory, with some people losing this to such an extent that they live in what is known as the reminiscence period or reminiscence bump. This can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and activities or to engage in conversations about recent events.

The care companion component of the myRyman Life model has been developed to support people living with dementia to continue participating in the aspects of life that bring them joy. This involves team members partnering with residents while they take the lead in meaningful activities – these are often passions that residents have enjoyed throughout their lives such as gardening or baking. It’s about ‘being with the resident and bridging the gaps with support where needed, rather than ‘doing’ for them.

By entering the residents’ world, we are moving away from task-based care where we are doing tasks for the resident and moving towards experience-based care where we can support people to live their own lives. Since launching the care companion component at a number of Ryman villages in July 2022 we are already seeing reduced stress levels, improved engagement and reduced medicalisation. The joy and happiness this approach has generated is impacting not only residents but also our dementia care team members.

This helps us to understand that it’s not just about quality of care. It’s about determining what quality of life means to a person. Spontaneity, laughter and fun are central to this.