Dementia has a deep impact not only on those who are diagnosed but also on the people who are closest to them. Family members have to take on different responsibilities when a relative is diagnosed with dementia. As the disease progresses, you or others in your family may find the changing roles tough to accept. It may become harder when roles change in some ways, but not in others. When this happens, it can lead to some confusion about how to act. It sometimes takes a while to figure out just who will do what.

Perry interviews Jessica Whittemore, a social worker with Hospice of the Chesapeake. She discusses the necessity of advance care planning, the procedure, and the problems that families may experience when discussing the subject. She also discusses the difficulties that families face when a family member has dementia. She also mentions the signs and behaviors of individuals with dementia, as well as how to deal with them. She went on to explain what a social worker does and why it's crucial when dealing with individuals with dementia and their loved ones.

Key Takeaways

Importance of Advance Care Planning especially with Dementia Patients
The Process of Having an Advance Care Planning Process
The Challenges Faced By Families when Discussing Advance Care Planning
Knowing the Legal Aspects of Advance Care Planning for Patients
Unique Behavioral Challenges to Persons with Dementia
The Challenges and The Change of Family Dynamics Having a Family Member going through Dementia
Symptoms and Behaviors of Dementia Patients based on Jessica's Experience
Differences between a Home Care and a Health Care Provider Facility For the Patient and the Family
Some Advice and Recommendations to Family Members with Dementia Patients
The Important Role of Social Workers in regards To handling Dementia Patients

Quotes

Nobody wants to talk about death. But, you know, it's something that happens. - Jessica

It's hard having a dementia family member since many people don't recognize that they're going through all those grief phases at different times while their loved ones are still alive. - Jessica

You're going to see disagreements with family members because they all want to handle it differently, we all have instincts to handle it differently. - Jessica

Social workers working with patients with dementia, they're key in education, helping families understand what's going on. - Jessica


Featured in this Episode

Jessica Whittemore
LCSW-C, APHSW-C Clinical Practice Specialist
Social Work Hospice of the Chesapeake
Profile: https://education.hospicechesapeake.org/speaker/jessica-whittemore-1288111
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-whittemore-bb49a3b8
Website: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/
Contact Details: 443 - 837 - 3376

Perry Limes
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Hospice of the Chesapeake
Profile: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/perry-limes/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrylimes

Resources

https://theconversationproject.org/
https://chesapeakesupportivecare.org/

Thanks and Appreciations

We'd like to thank the John & Cathy Belcher Institute for their generous support of our community outreach and education programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:55 Jessica's Background and her Profession as a Social Work
03:46 How does Advance Care Planning Work With Dementia Patients?
05:52 The Advance Care Planning Process
06:05 The Challenges when Discussing Advance Care Planning
10:45 The Legal Side of Advance Care Planning
13:37 Unique Behavioral Challenges to Persons with Dementia
15:56 Challenges of Families having a Family member with Dementia
20:18 Symptoms and Behaviors of Dementia Patients based on Jessica's Experience
22:16 Home Care vs Health Care Provider Facility
25:13 Advice and Recommendations to Families with Dementia Patients
34:00 The Important Role of Social Workers in regards To handling Dementia Patients
37:29 How To Reach Jessica
37:54 Thanks and Appreciation