FISH: Let's Reflect!
We've been diving in to the FISH Approach (getting into the water, or stepping into the reality of the person living with dementia), which can reduce anxiety and provide a supporting foundation to start improving the situation.
So far we learned about two types of communication snags: reasoning and explaining. When we want someone to understand, our brain is wired to try to explain, reason, and persuade others. This stimulates a threat perceiver in the brain and increases anxiety, which may cause the person with dementia to become agitated or defensive.
To help avoid the stress of “being pulled out of the water”, let's shift our focus and dive in!
Consider the role emotions play in our day to day. Whether we are feeling lighthearted, overwhelmed, peaceful, joyful, agitated, frustrated or sad, the emotions we feel can affect how we think and how we behave.
When we are not experiencing any cognitive or memory issues we can access our coping mechanisms which usually helps us with making choices and navigating the challenging situation. Now, when we are struggling with brain changes our emotions can take control.
When we understand how dementia affects emotions, we can provide a more skilled approach.
We will then need to learn how to say or do things that will make for a better experience. Our responses and support can impact how situations turn out.
First, put everything you say or do through this filter…
“If I say this, if I do this, how will it make them feel?”
If the answer is “not good” then don’t say or do it. We have to find another way to support them.
Take a pause.
Take a breath.
Reflect what they are saying.
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