Everyone is entitled to be consulted about their care, even if the ultimate decisions must be made by others. If the person is unable to communicate verbally, pay attention to how they express their wishes and feelings through behaviour and emotions. Interdependence Why is it important? Few people live in total isolation. People are essentially social beings, dependent on each other and connected by . Trusting relationships with family, and whānau friends are especially important to people in the later stages of dementia, when they are more vulnerable. These relationships may change over time and new relationships may develop. Family, and friends providing care need to recognise that there may be whānau times when they are not able to provide care. It is good to plan ahead and know who will provide care if you become sick or have to take care of other responsibilities. What does it mean in practice? Providing support or care is not a one-way process with one person giving and the other receiving. There can be mutual benefit from the caring relationship. Support the person to continue playing their role within the family/social group as much and as long as possible. Encourage the person to decide at an early stage who they trust to make decisions in their best interests. They may choose different people for different kinds of decisions. Talk to others providing support or care, including health professionals, so that you understand what is happening and how best to provide care and support. Accept that the person may develop new relationships over time and limiting choices can be harmful. It is okay for close family members and friends to also develop new relationships. Best interests Why is it important? Any best interests are a balance between what is important to them and person’s what is important for them. There are no absolutes and what is important may change over time. In the case of a person with dementia, their best interests are inevitably linked to those providing support and care, and may even be inseparable. The interests of both those providing care and the person with dementia must be taken into account. Some people providing care may find it difficult to think about what is best for themselves because of a previous commitment or cultural expectation to provide care.
Everyone is entitled to be consulted about their care, even if the ultimate decisions must be made by others. If the person is unable to communicate verbally, pay attention to how they express their wishes and feelings through behaviour and emotions. Interdependence Why is it important? Few people live in total isolation. People are essentially social beings, dependent on each other and connected by . Trusting relationships with family, whānau and friends are especially important to people in the later stages of dementia, when they are more vulnerable. These relationships may change over time and new relationships may develop. Family, whānau and friends providing care need to recognise that there may be times when they are not able to provide care. It is good to plan ahead and know who will provide care if you become sick or have to take care of other responsibilities. What does it mean in practice? Providing support or care is not a one-way process with one person giving and the other receiving. There can be mutual benefit from the caring relationship. Support the person to continue playing their role within the family/social group as much and as long as possible. Encourage the person to decide at an early stage who they trust to make decisions in their best interests. They may choose different people for different kinds of decisions. Talk to others providing support or care, including health professionals, so that you understand what is happening and how best to provide care and support. Accept that the person may develop new relationships over time and limiting choices can be harmful. It is okay for close family members and friends to also develop new relationships. Best interests Why is it important? Any person’s best interests are a balance between what is important to them and what is important for them. There are no absolutes and what is important may change over time. In the case of a person with dementia, their best interests are inevitably linked to those providing support and care, and may even be inseparable. The interests of both those providing care and the person with dementia must be taken into account. Some people providing care may find it difficult to think about what is best for themselves because of a previous commitment or cultural expectation to provide care.
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