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The challenges of providing appropriate care to a person with dementia are profound. This can result in extraordinary stress for dementia caregivers. Some of these challenges are:

Multiple impairments – Dementia impacts negatively on various aspects of functioning: cognitive, behavioural, language and motor. This means that the caregiver needs to care for the person not just cognitively, but also emotionally, socially and physically.

Intensity – As the disease progresses, the person requires more and more care, to the point of complete assistance.

Unpredictability – During the early and middle stages of some types of dementia, behaviours and the ability to function can vary greatly from one moment to the next.

The main hallmark of the most common types of dementia is the effect the condition has on memory and the resulting confusion surrounding memory loss. Furthermore, there is a reduced capacity to think in (and plan for) the future. The present moment is truly where the person with dementia dwells. What better way could there be to meet such a person than with a practice that brings one’s full attention into the present moment? With the appropriate patience, kindness and compassion.

I borrow from various therapeutic approaches, as well as from my own meditation practice of more than 30 years. Therapeutic approaches such as Jon Kabat-Zin’s programme, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), Marguerite Manteau-Rao’s Mindfulness-Based Dementia Care (MBDC), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Mindfulness (IM), as well as the SPECAL (Dementia support) method.

It is essential for the person to feel needed and useful for as long as they can. In fact, the need to feel useful, along with the ability to make decisions are the two most important emotional needs to consider when caring for your loved one. Many dementia behaviours have their roots in one of these two needs not being met.

Why Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has stood the test of time and has now spread around the world. It is a non-judgemental, moment-to-moment awareness; our powerful capacity to pay attention and be fully present for ourselves, as well as for the person with dementia. This ability to be in the present moment helps us transcend communication barriers, begin to understand distress signs and allow the cultivation of kindness, patience and compassion.

My own mindfulness practise helps me provide the best possible care as I go about interacting with the person with dementia. I find that I am calmer, more centred and more open to what each new moment brings. I can respond, rather than react. I pay attention and notice nonverbal signals from the person, and I try to attune myself to the person’s present state of being. When I am mindful of my various responsibilities and interactions, I know that the person feels recognised and they will, more likely, respond positively to my input and support.