Dementia can affect us all – especially when dealing with changes in day-to-day behaviour. These changes could be caused by many things including a person’s environment, health, or medication. One of the common changes is distress during personal care.

Distress during personal care covers any changes seen during someone’s personal care routine. This broad definition relates to everything from brushing one’s teeth or going to the toilet to having a shower/bath and getting dressed. Signs of distress may include shouting in pain or discomfort, freezing or curling up, scratching, or having trouble communicating.

The helpsheet has been created in collaboration with Professor Sue Kurrle, geriatrician, to assist carers and health care professionals to better identify and respond to the behaviours of someone experiencing distress during personal care.

To learn more, watch the video or download the helpsheet.