Introduction
Dementia is one of the most common diseases among the aged person; hence, Kwun Ton has increased the number of people living with Dementia. It is with great compassion that I write about such a complex syndrome like Dementia, which is called a demand-sensitive disease in the literature (Achterberg et al., 2020). This report aims to investigate a dementia-friendly environment in the Kwun Tong region, where the understanding of Dementia, existing community resources, proposed dementia-friendly activities and projects for improving communities will be discussed. This analysis seeks to point out areas where the district is doing well in addressing the nuances that characterize dementia care, showcase areas that need improvement, and finally offer possible solutions for rectifying certain areas that may not be satisfactory. Fostering awareness and strengthening support within Kwun Tong will aid in creating a safe space for people with Dementia and their families. By assessing the present situation in the district, we pave the way for creating a better living environment for people with this illness.
The Basic Concepts of Dementia and Care Needs
Dementia is a complex disorder that involves diminished mental faculties, such as memory loss, deficient reasoning, and diminished capacity for functioning in daily chores. Dementia is increasing in the Kwun Tong district, just like elsewhere. Hence, there is a need for better knowledge of its fundamental ideas and the correlated care needs. According to Bessey and Walaszek (2019), there are common types of Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular, and Lewy body dementias, that present different problems for affected persons and their care partners. Memory loss tends to affect people who have Dementia, and thus, a name, place, or event may not readily come through (Bessey & Walaszek, 2019). Cognitive decline is associated with problems of coping, understanding problems, and emotions. Therefore, care should go beyond physical health into emotional well-being and interactivity issues.
However, the care needs of people with Dementia are diverse, being altered as the illness progresses. Initially, assistive services can include helping with preparing meals, handling medications, etc. Jia et al. (2020) argue that with time, the dementia patient becomes incapacitated, such that they might need heavy support of care. The support could involve attending to his/her body, feeding, and movement within the institution. Constant monitoring could also be required to ensure that he/she is safe. As effective communication fails, patience and creativity in conveying information and comfort become even more significant.
Additionally, the psychological impact of Dementia on those affected, as well as their carers, is tremendous. A community can be supportive by extending its compassion and empathy if frustrations, confusion, and anxious feelings become prevalent. The caregiver is an indispensable character who is more frequently obligated to offer physical, emotional, and psychosomatic help (Jia et al., 2020).
Designing a Dementia-Friendly Activity
An essential component involves sensual engagement through musical therapy, aromatherapy, and tactile contact. According to Arvanitakis et al. (2019), these sensory-rich experiences seek to improve one’s mood, bring back memories, and make the space livelier and more enjoyable. One part that constitutes dementia-friendly activity is interactive games and specialized puzzles for different levels of cognition. Traditional game adaptations promote inclusivity, thus ensuring cognitive stimulation and achievement for every participant. Moreover, community art and creativity sessions act as a platform of expression for persons with Dementia, giving birth to creativity and socialization. Supportive networking set memory cafes enable relationships among participants as they allow caregivers to bond in a safe place where they share their experiences.
A Project for Promoting a Dementia-Friendly Community
Indeed, establishing a Dementia Resource Center is a crucial service required for building a dementia-friendly community in Kwun Tong District. The dementia comprehensive project is a vast project that deals with information centers for people who have Dementia, caregivers, and members of a wider community. Dementia Resource Center would develop readily available online information regarding educative notes, sessions, and training for givers. We collaborate with various local healthcare providers, NGOs, and business organizations. This could enrich the center’s services proposed project can thus help make Kwun Tong hospitable by being a center of information on Dementia and its related services that not only raise awareness but also bring together different parts of society in order to gain knowledge that may lead them to be supportive to people suffering from dement.
Recognition of Good Practices and Areas of Improvement
Several notable practices in Kwun Tong District’s attempts toward creating a dementia-friendly community have been recognized. The first step is carrying out sensitization programs that will desensitize the stigma around Dementia and help society learn more about people with Dementia. The campaigns also inform residents on aspects of Dementia and work towards removing the stigma around the condition. Secondly, providing cognitive screening tests is preventive, enabling early diagnosis and therapy (Taylor et al., 2020). This aligns with the care of people’s health because it entails early provision of help and assistance. Another commendable practice is creating a network of caregiver support groups that acknowledge the involvement of caregivers in the life of an individual with Dementia. Associations are significant places where people can communicate about their experiences, seek mutual comfort, and spread practical information.
Despite these improvements, Kwun Tong’s dementia-friendly initiatives have some shortcomings. Although present resources are essential, stakeholders must intensify their partnership to promote shared responsibility. According to Taylor et al. (2020), collaborating with healthcare providers, the local community, and even local businesses may help make dementia-related services available to different people. Also, community-wide distribution of information regarding existing resources must be emphasized as it addresses most of these challenges. Therefore, by introducing innovative programs like memory cafes and a dementia resource center, there can be an all-embracing and total revamp. Such efforts would not only provide information but also physically develop areas of socialization and support.
Conclusion
The final assessment of dementia-friendly conditions in the Kwun Tong district highlights good practices and areas for improvement. The district is proactive by holding awareness campaigns, cognitive screening, and caregiver support groups for education and emotional well-being. Nonetheless, stakeholder collaboration must be improved upon, as well as resource dissemination at the community level. Some of these initiatives include the Memory Cafes and the Dementia Resource Center, which provide tangible means for holistic improvement. Sustainable collaborations and innovations are necessary for Kwun Tong to be a real Dementia friendly community. Positive steps taken so far should be recognized as a basis for developing a harmonized society. Identifying the areas for improvement in the district will allow people with Dementia and their caregivers to thrive by creating an atmosphere of care, love, empathy, and understanding toward all inhabitants. It takes continuous work in a positive direction to make Kwun Tong a dementia-friendly area.
References
Achterberg, W., Lautenbacher, S., Husebo, B., Erdal, A., & Herr, K. (2020). Pain in Dementia. Pain reports, 5(1), e803.
Arvanitakis, Z., Shah, R. C., & Bennett, D. A. (2019). Diagnosis and management of Dementia. Jama, 322(16), 1589-1599.
Bessey, L. J., & Walaszek, A. (2019). Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of Dementia. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21, 1-11.
Jia, L., Quan, M., Fu, Y., Zhao, T., Li, Y., Wei, C., … & Jia, J. (2020). Dementia in China: Epidemiology, clinical management, and research advances. The Lancet Neurology, 19(1), 81–92.
Taylor, J. P., McKeith, I. G., Burn, D. J., Boeve, B. F., Weintraub, D., Bamford, C., … & T O’Brien, J. (2020). New evidence on the management of Lewy body dementia. The Lancet Neurology, 19(2), 157–169.
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