I remember a time when I visited a care home and I caught the eye and smiled at a lady who was walking towards me down a corridor, momentarily lost in her own world. She looked up and came up very close, cupped my face and stroked it in gentle caresses. She had no words. I had never met her, but her soft nurturing touch was powerful, and I shall never forget it as a response to warm engagement. The lady went off humming in gentle contentment. This shows both the poetry and pain of dementia and the incisive intuitive nature of identifying genuine human emotional connection, care and compassion.
We know that cognitive impairment changes a person’s experience of a situation and can result in people feeling isolated, disconnected, and frightened. The senses are fundamental to people living with dementia who are disorientated. Its application is part of Person-Centred Validation and quality care which has huge benefits for both those giving and those receiving.
We also know that lack of meaningful social contact leads to a different brain wiring. It is a case of use it or lose it. Of course, it depends on the relationship, but, it’s not about who people are but how they make them feel. The act of holding a hand is another example, that for some, can transform a person’s experience and help them feel they are not lost and alone and can reduce stress significantly.
Having conversations that matter and using the senses in dementia care is fundamental to good care. It is something that some of us have come to really appreciate during this time of separation and touch ‘hunger’ or deprivation.
Environment enrichment was a term I learnt from a psychologist when working in closing long stay wards for older people before the responsibility moved from the NHS to the so called ‘social care’ sector. We have had experience of both growth and shrinking of our brains particularly if isolated for long period. Having lots of sensory ‘stuff’ to feel and touch and explore is fundamental to the world around us to explore and engage in for people with dementia as a necessary way of enriching and reducing stress.
I read Embracing Touch in Dementia by Luke Tanner a few years ago and it is a very relevant read at this time for those working in care homes, recreating community and particularly at this time to help us all feel comfort in our humanity. It can prevent the trauma associated with the stealth of touch withdrawal. Task orientated touch can trigger feelings many people can spend their lives avoiding. Custodial, controlling and dominating.