The 'Battle' at the Entrance: The Difficulties of Dementia Care

When you're at the facility entrance... a resident with dementia says, 'I want to go outside!'

In a care setting, the entrance can sometimes become a bit of a 'battleground'.
It's especially challenging when residents with dementia want to go out, saying things like 'I'm going home' or 'I'm going shopping,' and we have to scramble to handle it😅

Some people try to slip out the moment the door opens, and since that could lead to a major accident, the staff is always on edge...
It's hard to just say 'You can't go out' directly, so stopping them is quite a struggle.

A real-life battle at the entrance

I've also had times during my shift where I was stuck at the entrance like a guard.
I've tried distracting people who want to leave by saying, 'Let's have some tea,' or accompanying them on a walk to ensure they return safely.
However, that doesn't always work, and I've really struggled with the conflict between the resident's wishes and the staff's need for safety management.

With others, some have even gotten angry and shouted, 'This is a prison!'😅

Summary

Dementia care is a difficult balance between 'safety' and 'respect'.
We try to value the resident's feelings while finding ways to prevent accidents.
I think the battle at the entrance symbolizes that struggle on the front lines.

👉 You can read other articles here

The 'unexpected' that hits the staff 5 minutes before clocking out
https://note.com/fast_pansy3414/n/nfe2a744f4bdd

'Fast doesn't mean sloppy.' The secret of efficient caregivers
https://note.com/fast_pansy3414/n/nb92d8294d72d

💡If you relate to this, your 'likes' or tips would be a great encouragement✨