Shortly before Christmas, it was announced that a ‘landmark’ training guide had been developed to help those caring for people living with dementia. It’s an extensive guide, at hundreds of pages, and goes into considerable depth, and it is hoped that it will ‘increase quality of care’. Then just a few days after that, a NICE report also found that doctors were still using a ‘tick box approach’ when dealing with end of life care, instead of considering each patient’s own specific needs.
While somewhat unconnected, I find both of these pieces of news equally concerning. When did we become so removed from the real meaning of care that ticking boxes and following guidelines are the best we can offer? Especially when the solution to real person-centred care lies in something so simple. It’s about just really caring for people, and caring in that original sense of the word – it means you’re invested in their happiness, their well-being, that you want the best for them and will do whatever you can to ensure they are looked after and content.
“When did we become so removed from the real meaning of care that ticking boxes and following guidelines are the best we can offer?”
This kind of caring comes from the heart. Sensing or intuiting what would be good for someone, not using the wisdom of a training manual, but using the wisdom of the heart. My concern is that the more we move to cerebral solutions to solve specific situations (such as caring for people with dementia), the more we move away from the heart, and this is where all caring should come from.
Of course, I welcome all training, it’s vital. But if I was involved in this training programme, I’d start with the heart. I’d tell my trainees, the first thing you need to know about working with dementia and those living with it is to see the person, not the disease – just look into their eyes, talk directly to them, make them feel connected. Have conversations with them, use common day-to-day things to spark their interest, or even their memories. But give them your care, your heart and your time.
“I’d tell my trainees, the first thing you need to know about working with dementia and those living with it is to see the person, not the disease – just look into their eyes, talk directly to them, make them feel connected.”
You can do all the training you want but without heart it becomes routine, sterile and ineffective. The caring profession is such a rewarding world to work in, if only we can bring our hearts to work with us every day.
