Why I am Here: The Social Model of Dementia Care

I prefer to keep my articles focused away from me and to place a spotlight on persons living with dementia (PLwD) and their care partners.  At the same time, I think a self-indulgent post may be in order to tell the reader why I have dedicated my life to helping others find "Peace with Dementia" as I like to call it. This is more of an opinion article; while the sample interventions are based in science, I will cite very few sources.

If you visit my website, you will see a dedication to my Grandfather Milton Ragas who had some type of dementia in his last years and my Mom, Yvonne who advocated for him and coordinated his care.

While this was a catalyst for my calling, it does not explain my philosophy of Peace with Dementia.

I started my graduate studies in Gerontology under the direction of Christopher Johnson, PhD who enlightened me to the social model of dementia care.  Dr. Johnson is doing amazing things in a new dementia program at Texas State University. In short, the social model focuses on the person with dementia as a whole person, still capable of joy, fear, pain, delight, and other feelings.  The social model does not contradict, but does differ from the biomedical model of dementia care that focuses on medical treatment and drugs.  Ideally, the two models work together, caring for the body (biomedical) and the mind and spirit (social).  The current system is built upon a biomedical model, leaving a need for some balance and an enormous potential for increased healing through the social model.

Examples of the social model, like non-pharmacological interventions, take time, effort, patience, and empathy.  Examples of these interventions are:

• Studying a person's life history and personality to discover meaningful activities to delight the PLwD;
• Understanding that "problem behaviors" are typically the PLwD communicating a need, not trying to annoy his care partners;
• Discovering the root cause of these behaviors, which could be physical (untreated pain or discomfort) or emotional (fear and confusion where their parents are; a veteran dealing with combat trauma); 
• Using personalized music (Gerdner) to sooth patients who are agitated or combative;
• Utilizing meaningful activities to engage PLwD who are an elopement risk (wandering risk);
• Utilizing Validation Therapy (Feil) with much older PLwD trying to resolve a traumatic past;
• Care partner support groups and groups for persons with early onset dementia;
• and more...

While the above sample do not include pharmaceuticals, they do not necessarily exclude responsible use of drugs. What they always do include is what I mentioned above:  time, effort, patience, and empathy.

The social model fascinates me and it is my calling to educate and collaborate with all care partners who are willing to make the effort: family, friends, professionals, and staff.  In this journey, I appreciate and give credit to those researchers who came before me to discover these methods and credit to practitioners and family members who use these interventions everyday, even though it means more effort. They "get it." I am very blessed to be able to email back and forth with some of these leading researchers and teachers.

The social model means some potential frustration and much trial & error for care partners. It means learning from each person with dementia, the expert.  When one method does not work, we try another. Time, effort, patience, and empathy. The upshot is that when care partners are successful in these methods, the satisfaction and accomplishment is incredible.  Another benefit is saving time.  If you can use non-drug methods to sooth a combative PLwD, you are looking at lower risk of injury (which is amazing alone), as well as not having to document an incident. Stated another way, you are going to spend time somewhere and it may as well be in prevention of combative behaviors rather than the aftermath.

With Care Partner Mentoring, LLC,  I see my mission as four-fold:

1. Listening to the care partner; 
2. Educating & training with the care partner; 
3. Persuading the care partner to take action;
4. Encouraging the care partner when times are tough.

Persons with Dementia are whole persons, not a 'shell of a person' as we are conditioned to believe.  They were care-free children once, most raised families, many founded businesses and served others, and were community leaders. They deserve our love and attention.  As a care partner, you will have good days and bad days like they do.  Perhaps if you end up in the same position, someone will care for you this way.  If you agree with my perspective, we are on the same team and I hope you stay connected with me.  If you do not share my perspective, I hope you read more to consider these ideas.  

We need a very large team.

Thank you for reading my story and hope you will subscribe for updates and like my FB page for other updates.

In Peace,
Matt

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Matt Estrade, MA, MBA,  is Gerontologist and Founder/Chief Mentor at Care Partner Mentoring, LLC in Covington/New Orleans, LA, USA. A more extensive biography can be found here.