In the theoretical part of the master's thesis I defined dementia, described the most common types of dementia and the models of understanding dementia. This is followed by a chapter about communication with people with dementia and about working methods when providing care for people with dementia. Finally, I dedicated a few words to the role of social work in dealing with families and elderly people. The aim of my research was to explore working methods at providing care services to people with dementia and obstacles that occur in the process. In the research I wanted to discover the ways in which residential care workers take care for people with dementia and which obstacles they face. I was in detail interested in: working methods when dealing with people with dementia, how care workers in residential facilities communicate with them, which activities the residents with dementia have on disposal, what are the most common difficulties and obstacles when providing care for people with dementia, how do care workers solve problems, how do they cooperate with relatives, what are their sources of strength for doing their job and what kind of help is available to employees. On the basis of performed interviews, I came to the conclusion that residential care workers treat every resident with dementia individually, meaning that they accommodate approaches and workflow to person’s physical and psychical abilities. When communicating with people who suffer from dementia, it is important to speak slowly, distinctly and to use simple sentences. Residents with dementia have on disposal various activities to strengthen their other abilities and competences. Residential care workers face various difficulties at their work, but as the major issue they pointed out the lack of personnel. They also come across difficulties at cooperation with relatives. They solve all difficulties regularly and through conversation. Workers attend professional trainings on a regular basis and in the future they wish that more lectures for relatives on the topic of dementia would be organized. Residential care workers described their work with people with dementia as strenuous, but at the same time they see it as a new challenge at their profession. Seeing residents satisfied, give them energy and strength for further work. In the final part of this master’s thesis I have given a few suggestions. In the future I suggest more lectures on various topics regarding dementia for relatives, help of volunteers in the afternoon and during weekends and to reach a co-operation agreement with relatives regarding admittance of residents in the institutional care. I also suggest free-time socializing activities for workers, in the form of excursions and sports activities. This would be beneficial for strengthening relations at workplace, as well as for relaxation from work
|
