Abstract
A part of the workshop was two educational videos. First focused on the disease course, discussing the first signs and symptoms of dementia, available and commonly used screening tests, and the importance of early diagnosis.
Case management was introduced as a way to provide efficient, cost-saving, person-centred care for people with dementia. The video included some of the essential principles of communication with people diagnosed with dementia, which can prevent problematic behaviour in these people if used effectively.
Reflection was also mentioned as a vital technique of identifying the feelings and reactions of caregivers as people with dementia often mirror their behaviour. Some of the psychosocial interventions, including program management, cognitive training, validation therapy, and reminiscence therapy, were discussed.
The second educational video focused on informal care, described as care provided by a family member or another person to a person with reduced self-sufficiency who is dependent on another person's help (Social Services and Informal Care Card, 2010-2015). We have also discussed the needs of the informal caregivers, their cultural role.
The needs of the caregivers were related to various stages of dementia and divided into two categories-the social needs, such as the availability of specific information and societal appreciation, and the instrumental needs included tools and mechanisms for information access and forms of support and assistance for informal caregivers, to name a few. A point was made that Alzheimer's disease takes a devastating toll on caregivers.
Compared with people providing care for individuals without dementia, twice as many of those involved in the care of people with dementia display emotional, financial and physical difficulties. And finally, the health and social services available for people in need were listed and described along with the legislative entrenchment in the New Civil Code.