Dementia has been studied for decades with the goal of learning as much as possible about the disease. Throughout this, various tools and applications have been developed to help healthcare providers understand more about specific types of dementia and how they affect each individual.
If you or a loved one has dementia, you may have heard your doctor talk about care mapping. This observational tool allows doctors to measure the experience of those with dementia in a number of ways, rather than simply physically.
Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dementia care mapping, why it might be used and its benefits.
What Is a Dementia Care Map?
Dementia care mapping is an observational tool used in healthcare settings to make sure people living with dementia experience a whole-person care approach. Instead of only their physical health being taken into account, the mapping process also considers emotional, social and spiritual well-being.
An individualised dementia care map is used to improve well-being and quality of life for people living with the condition. Your loved one’s likes and dislikes, preferences and triggers will be highlighted in the mapping process, and the map can be built upon as time goes on and dementia symptoms progress.
Dementia care mapping was developed in the 1980s and is still used today. The idea is that any care provider can examine an individual’s dementia care map to bring them up to speed with what’s expected of them and deliver the best support possible right from the start.
What Does Dementia Care Mapping Involve?
When a dementia care map is created, five main phases are considered:
1. Preparation and briefing
A carer gathers background information of a person with dementia, including their medical history, current abilities and preferences, to make sure they understand the individual they’re working with. They’ll make practical arrangements to help them observe and plan in a supportive, person-centred environment.
2. Observation
The carer will watch the person with dementia in their home, focusing on how they manage daily activities, social interaction and communication. They’ll note how they respond to their surroundings, behaviours, mood and triggers, creating a well-rounded, holistic picture of their needs.
3. Analysis
Everything noted from the observation and background stages is interpreted, and any patterns are identified so they can be targeted to improve quality of life. Patterns could include agitation at certain times of the day, difficulties with specific tasks, extreme fatigue as the day goes on or sundowning. The approach remains person-centred by considering strengths, challenges and abilities.
4. Report writing and feedback
The carer will write a structured report of everything observed and analysed, highlighting preferences, needs, and recommendations for care. This report will be shared with the care team and family members to ensure everyone understands key points and is on the same page. The dementia care map will emphasise the importance of dignity, respect and maintaining quality of life.
5. Action planning
This section chooses practical steps based on the individual analysis and feedback. These might include adjusting daily routines, creating a structured care plan, and adapting the home to make it safer and more comfortable. Clear review points are set so the plan can be monitored and updated as the person with dementia’s needs change.
Dementia Care Mapping in Action
For this example, we’ll use a common symptom of dementia, sundowning, to highlight what a dementia care map can provide to the care team and the individual experiencing the condition.
- Preparation and briefing
A carer notices a person with dementia becoming more restless in the late afternoon to early evening. They are briefed to observe behaviours and triggers with a person’s background, routine and health in mind.
- Observation
The client is observed over several evenings, identifying the main trigger of the agitation as the change from natural light to artificial light. Symptoms, such as pacing, confusion and stress, along with positive behaviours and effective distractions, are noted.
- Analysis
The carer notes their key findings, including strengths, preferences and triggers. They create a conclusion on why sundowning happens (the change in lighting), when it’s likely to begin, and how a person responds well to certain distractions to keep them soothed and calm.
- Report writing and feedback
The report will outline:
- When sundowning symptoms begin
- Behaviours shown
- Likely triggers, such as reduced light
- Positive responses
This information is shared with family and the extended care team, making sure everyone is on the same page and focused on improving quality of life.
- Action planning
Practical steps are considered and agreed upon to manage sundowning. These could include adapting the home to make it brighter with ‘sunlight-effect’ lightbulbs or planning calming activities, such as looking through photo albums, for around the time symptoms begin.
Benefits of Dementia Care Mapping
There are several benefits to dementia care mapping, including:
- Collaborative care efforts: A care map ensures that carers and loved ones have a say in symptom management, providing a consistent approach to stabilising a person with dementia’s routine.
- Person-centred approach: Rather than carers focusing on a basic-level understanding of dementia to create a care plan, a care map helps keep everything specific to the client.
- Improved well-being: Focusing on a person’s experiences with dementia allows carers to improve their comfort and happiness, even as symptoms progress.
- Deeper understanding of symptoms: Through observation and analysis, carers can gain a better insight into how a person with dementia reacts to triggers and calming activities, boosting quality of life as they curate an individualised care plan.
- Customisable and ongoing: A dementia care map can be added to and altered whenever it’s needed, always making sure symptoms are fully understood with a person’s quality of life and independence in mind.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity, we pride ourselves on always valuing a person-centred approach to care. Instead of focusing on your loved one’s dementia stage or symptoms, we take the time to map out our own care plan depending on their preferences, triggers and needs. Our fully trained, compassionate carers provide one-on-one care to their clients, ensuring they have enough time to get to know them before judging how to approach their care.
The care we provide includes:
- One-to-one support at home
- Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
- Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services
Our dementia care services are tailored to what we observe makes your loved one most comfortable and relaxed. Whether you choose live-in or visiting care, our carers use dementia care maps to provide personalised support that upholds dignity, independence, and confidence.
Talk to Trinity Homecare today
If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.
Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
