What Matters Most? Personhood and Spirituality

1. What Matters Most?Personhood and Spirituality Richard Wharton. QEHB Chaplaincy

2. Over-view. Quiz What matters most? Personhood & spirituality? Research into Mild Cognitive Impairment Richard Wharton. QEHB Chaplaincy

3. How many of these young American women, shown here in their 20s during World War II, might have Alzheimer’s disease today? One Two Three Question 1 of 6.

4. The correct answer is “Three.” • If they are still alive, all of these women would be over 85 years old. Experts estimate that nearly half of people over 85 have Alzheimer’s disease because increasing age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Answer:

5. Which of these famous Americans had Alzheimer’s disease? Screen legend Rita Hayworth U.S. President Ronald Reagan Beloved artist Norman Rockwell Civil rights icon Rosa Parks All of the above Question 2 of 6.

6. The correct answer is “all of the above.” • Alzheimer’s disease affects men and women of all races and ethnic groups in all walks of life. No one is immune. Answer:

7. What is the main part of your brain involved in thinking, remembering, solving problems or taking a quiz? Cerebrum Cerebellum Brain stem Question 3 of 6.

8. The correct answer is Cerebrum.” The cerebrum’s outer covering is also the brain region most severely damaged by Alzheimer’s disease. The cerebellum is involved in coordination and balance, while the brain stem controls your heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and other functions that don’t require conscious thought. Answer:

9. Three of these answers are good ways to help keep your brain healthy, and one is a myth. Which one is the myth? Eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol, and rich in dark-skinned fruits and vegetables Stay mentally active Avoid aluminium Exercise 30 minutes most days Question 4 of 6.

10. The myth is “avoid aluminium.” Decades ago, scientists thought drinking out of aluminium cans or cooking in aluminium pots and pans might be linked to Alzheimer’s disease, but research failed to confirm any connection. Experts now believe it is much more important to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, challenge yourself mentally, and stay in touch with friends and family. Answer:

11. How often can Alzheimer’s be accurately diagnosed? 10 percent of the time 50 percent of the time 90 percent of the time Almost never Question 5 of 6

12. The correct answer is “90 percent of the time.” • A doctor knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s can nearly always make an accurate Alzheimer diagnosis. Most people with Alzheimer’s are diagnosed in mild to moderate stages. • Researchers are working on techniques to detect the earliest brain changes of Alzheimer’s to open the way for earlier interventions and give people with Alzheimer’s longer and more independent lives. Answer:

13. Which answer best describes what Alzheimer’s is? A modern word for “senility” A fatal disease Memory loss as you grow older Question 6 of 6.

14. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It is a fatal disease that slowly destroys the brain and the ability to learn, reason and carry out daily activities. As the disease progresses, personality and behaviour change and eventually one loses control of body functions. Answer:

15. There are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the UK. • There are over 16,000 younger people with dementia in the UK. • There will be over a million people with dementia by 2021. • 60,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to dementia. • The financial cost of dementia to the UK is over £20 billion PA. • Family carers of people with dementia save the UK economy over £6Bn a year • 64% of people living in care homes have a form of dementia. • Only 40% of people living with dementia receive a diagnosis Some statistics

16. Why do you matter?

17. What would you most have liked to have achievedby the time you die? • Who would you want to have become by the time you die? • What are you be most anxious about leaving / letting go of?

18. What makes you, you? • Is it your capacity to do certain things? e.g. reason, rationality, cognitive ability, independence and the capacity for self-advocacy… (Swinton 2008) • Danger in defining personhood in terms of what we can do / functionality. • Are people with dementia / other mental health conditions incomplete people? Personhood

19. Personhood “is a standing or status that is bestowed upon one human being, by others, in the context of relationship” (Kitwood. 1997). • Personhood is “a gift of community” (Swinton. 2008). • “I think, therefore I am” (Descartes) or, “I relate, therefore I am” (Ubuntu) Personhood

20. Tom Kitwood Dementia = PersonalityBiography HealthNeurological Impairment Social Psychology Person with DEMENTIA, or PERSON with dementia ? Personhood

21. “Spirituality is identified with experiencing a deep seated sense of meaning and purpose in life, together with a sense of belonging.” (Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2011) “Spiritual care is concerned with accompanying people on a journey from the circumferences of their lives to the centre of what is really important to them.” (Richard Rohr. SSF) The spiritual life is a matter of becoming who you really are. (Richard Rohr. SSF) Your spiritual journey is the journey to the centre of you and to the centre of what matters most for you. Your spirituality is how you express that journey and what nourishes you on the way.

22. What are you passionate about? What motivates you? Who are you? I love you!! What puts a fire in your belly? Is there ‘something else’ out there? What makes you angry? What are the key moments in your life? How do you cope with surprises? What makes you, you? What matters most?

24. Associated with emotional, cognitive and behavioural decline. Set of symptoms rather than a specific medical condition or disease, involving: • day-to-day memory • planning • language • attention • Visuo-spatial skills Alzheimer’s Society Mild Cognitive Impairment

25. Like dementia, MCI is not a normal process of ageing. Conversion rates to dementia of 10 – 15% a year. High risk group, but reversible. Benefits of early diagnosis: • GP referral to memory clinics • Social support for individuals and their families • Adopt a healthier lifestyle • Build up resilience Mild Cognitive Impairment

26. Importance of Community • Origins & roots • Experiences that transform us • Belonging • ‘I am me because of you!’ (Ubuntu) Mild Cognitive Impairment

27. Importance of Control & Order • Resilience • Ritual. ‘There’s something bigger than me’. • Living with contradiction Mild Cognitive Impairment

28. Importance of Mission & Purpose • ‘Give me something meaningful to do!’ • Generosity • ‘Don’t underestimate me!’ Mild Cognitive Impairment

29. Over to you!

30. Thank you!