Dementia: what next?

'Cognufit!' is an individual rehabilitation programme developed for patients with dementia or memory problems and their informal carers.

The ultimate goal of this programme is to balance the informal carer’s coping capacity and caregiving burden, set boundaries and goals, identify problems and work together to find solutions.

After the physician has diagnosed dementia, the patient and his or her informal carer is invited for an appointment at the Geriatric Day Hospital at Maria Middelares General Hospital in Ghent. After an introductory meeting with a staff member, the individual situation is outlined and any potential problems are identified. Depending on the individual goals, one or more follow-up appointments (follow-up sessions) are scheduled with the designated disciplines:

• The speech therapy session includes explanations on communication, how to deal with changing behaviour, tips on using planners and memory aids.
• The occupational therapy session includes testing your physical condition, an explanation on how to create a safe living environment, how to prevent falls, as well as exercise and relaxation tips.
• In her session, the nurse will explain topics like medication, physical hygiene, healthy eating and how to deal with a person who has dementia.
• A session with Social Services will provide you with more information on how to start home help or family assistance, where to find support, the benefits you are entitled to and how to create an advance care plan (living will), among other things.

Each informal carer is assigned a contact person who can be contacted every week.

At the end of the series, a report is written and forwarded to your GP. Agreements with other organisations will also be made in consultation with the patient and informal carer to ensure continuity of care.

You are not alone. We are here to help you!

In case of questions, contact +32 (0)9 246 22 04 (Geriatrics Day Hospital) or cognufit@mijnziekenhuis.be.

Caring both for a person with dementia and for yourself as an informal carer is not always straightforward. Sooner or later, the informal carer often encounters various emotional and/or practical difficulties.

The psycho-education package ‘Dementia care for the caregiver’ was developed at the initiative of the non-profit organisations Expertise Centre Dementie Vlaanderen and Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen. Led by people who have completed the ‘Dementia: care for the caregiver’ coach training, the programme consists of ten meetings for the same group of up to fifteen informal carers caring for someone with standard or early-onset dementia at home or away from home. These sessions help the informal carer cope with and derive satisfaction from the sometimes challenging care situation.
During the sessions, you will:

• find out more about dementia, its impact, how to cope with it and the existing support services available
• learn to better manage your feelings, thoughts and care burden
• meet other informal carers who support you, understand you and with whom you can exchange knowledge, insights and skills

The price of €80.00 includes your participation in the ten meetings and a copy of the book 'Dementia en nU' (Dementia: care for the caregiver) for informal carers.
The ‘Dementia: care for the caregiver’ series is organised both at the Maria Middelares General Hospital site in Ghent and St Vincent General Hospital site in Deinze.

When?

At Maria Middelares General Hospital in Ghent, meetings take place each Thursday from 1.30 to 4.30 pm.

• Spring 2024 series: 22 February 2024, 29 February 2024, 7 March 2024, 14 March 2024, 21 March 2024, 28 March 2024, 4 April 2024, 11 April 2024, 25 April 2024, 2 May 2024
• Autumn 2024 series: 5 September 2024, 12 September 2024, 19 September 2024, 26 September 2024, 3 October 2024, 10 October 2024, 17 October 2024, 24 October 2024, 31 October 2024, 7 November 2024

At St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze, meetings take place each Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

• Spring 2024 series: 17 April, 24 April, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 June, 12 June, 19 June, 26 June

In case of questions, you can contact the programme at demnu@mijnziekenhuis.be or directly through one of our dementia coaches or dementia experts:

Information leaflet

Learn more about these information sessions in the leaflet below:

The first line zone Schelde and Leie has a Dementia Compass that helps care providers and informal carers in their search for organisations that offer help or treatment for persons with dementia. Our hospital is committed to working with dementia experts, supported by the specialties of geriatrics and neurology, in providing this care.

Paradox, the regional Dementia Expertise Centre, offers practical guidance, such as a handy checklist, after dementia has been diagnosed.

You are a very important person for the smooth delivery of care in both the home environment and during a hospitalisation When the person with dementia is accompanied during their hospital stay by their informal carer, a familiar face, it can have a positive impact on the patient's confusion and agitation. Information about the habits and preferences of the person with dementia is crucial for providing optimal care and attention during their stay in our hospital. As an informal carer, you are an indispensable link in your loved one's continuity of care. Therefore, we would like to involve you in following aspects of care during the patient’s admission:

• Meal assistance (except for swallowing disorders)
• Presence in the event of turmoil
• Presence during the risk of falling
  
• Presence in a palliative context

As an informal carer, you know the person with dementia and their habits and routines better than the hospital staff, especially at the start of the admission. You can help us get to know your loved one better so that we can take maximum account of his or her daily habitsduring the hospitalisation. This will help ensure a more pleasant and peaceful stay. We therefore ask you to download the 'My habits' document below, print it out and return it completed to the ward nurse. The document will be posted in the room.

In return for your valuable contribution, you can enjoy a number of benefits as an informal carer in our hospital. We are happy to offer you, without any obligation, the opportunity to be present with your loved one outside of visiting hours. You will receive a badge from us that makes you recognisable (identifiable) as an informal carer. In addition, as an informal carer, you can have a free meal (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) in your loved one's room. Finally, as an informal carer, you will enjoy a reduced parking rate.

The Flemish Expertise Centre for Dementia is a partnership between the Flemish Platform for Informal Carers and SAM (a social welfare support centre). It is one of the action points in the informal care plan of the Flemish Government.

Tailored information can be found on www.mantelzorgers.be.

Ghent aspires to being a dementia-friendly city. The dementia drop-in centre is open to anyone with questions about dementia.

Maria Middelares General Hospital is a partner of the dementia drop-in centre. Compassionate care for people with dementia and their informal carers is a priority for us. Rest assured that you can also always contact your doctor or our dementia coaches with any questions you may have.