Seeking meaning in late stage dementia

Area of Science:

• Psychology and Pastoral Care
• Dementia Care and Family Support

Background:

• Dementia care presents challenges in maintaining meaningful connections during later stages.
• Existing care practices may not fully address the need for meaning and connection for both patients and families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the effectiveness of specific techniques for family carers of dementia patients.
• To explore the role of pastoral caregivers in teaching these techniques to families.
• To enhance meaningful connection and the search for meaning in late-stage dementia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized case studies to demonstrate the application of two distinct techniques.
• Techniques are based on the psychological theories of C. G. Jung and James Hillman.
• Employed metaphor and non-rational language as core components of the methods.

Main Results:

• The case studies indicated the effectiveness of the taught techniques in fostering connection.
• The methods facilitate the search for meaning and sustained contact in advanced dementia.

Conclusions:

• Pastoral caregivers can be instrumental in equipping families with tools for better dementia care.
• Teaching these metaphor-based techniques can prolong meaningful relationships with loved ones experiencing dementia.
• Implications for care theory, practice, and policy are discussed, highlighting a scientific bias.