Mrs. Lefebre is 67 years old at the time of the interview. She is single, has no children, and lives in the southern part of Switzerland. She has worked in the education sector. Mrs. Lefebre was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia when she was 65 years old. She lives at home, supported by her family members as well as by Mrs. Richaud and the outpatient care service. Mrs. Lefebre has also been attending a structured day program twice a week for a few months, and she experiences the community there as supportive. Her friends, with whom she is surrounded, are very important to her. She is looking for a good way of living with dementia.
VIDEO
Mrs. Lefebre goes for a walk outside to relieve negative mood and feelings of tension and stress. She also does breathing exercises.
TRANSCRIPT
Frau Morel
Walks are good for Mrs. Morel all round.
Walks do Mrs. Morel good all around, for the head, the legs and the morale. She clearly articulated to her daughter, who worries about her, that she doesn't get lost. When it's dark, she doesn't go out anyway. Mrs. Morel has also bought a pedometer.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Herr Vuillemin
Mr. Vuillemin walks a lot and practices muscle relaxation every day.
Mr. Vuillemin hikes a lot in the mountains. Besides that, he practices muscle relaxation exercises every day.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Mrs. Lefebre is 67 years old at the time of the interview. She is single, has no children, and lives in the southern part of Switzerland. She has worked in the education sector. Mrs. Lefebre was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia when she was 65 years old. She lives at home, supported by her family members as well as by Mrs. Richaud and the outpatient care service. Mrs. Lefebre has also been attending a structured day program twice a week for a few months, and she experiences the community there as supportive. Her friends, with whom she is surrounded, are very important to her. She is looking for a good way of living with dementia.
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre notices that she stutters more often when she speaks.
Mrs. Lefebre notices that she stutters more frequently when speaking. She also reports headaches that occur more quickly than before.
Impairments, restrictions and impacts
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre found it difficult to recognize her memory lapses as Alzheimer's disease.
Mrs. Lefebre perceived her memory lapses as something distinctly different from normal forgetfulness. Nevertheless, she found it difficult to recognize them as Alzheimer's disease because she still knew little about what that was.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
For Mrs. Lefebre, getting informed also means better understanding her own reactions and behaviors.
For Mrs. Lefebre, getting informed also means better understanding her own reactions and behaviors.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
It took time for Mrs. Lefebre to accept that she had Alzheimer's disease.
It took Mrs. Lefebre time to accept that she had Alzheimer's disease. She thought and hoped to get a grip on her memory lapses, which she explained with exhaustion, with exercises.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Dementia has turned her previous life upside down, says Mrs Lefebre.
Dementia has turned her previous life completely upside down, says Mrs. Lefebre. Her life and what she does in everyday life have changed a lot. She realizes that she stands in the world differently than before. Nevertheless, she tries to keep certain things constant.
Impairments, restrictions and impacts
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Having Alzheimer's is "a big deal", says Mrs. Lefebre.
Having Alzheimer's is "a big deal" ("un grand morceau"), says Mrs. Lefebre. Nevertheless, she wants to face the situation head on. The fact that her relatives find it difficult to cope with her disease is an additional burden for Mrs. Lefebre.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre wants to get information to find out how she can cope with the disease.
Getting involved with Alzheimer's dementia was a way for Mrs. Lefebre to face the disease. She wants to get information to find out how she can cope with the disease.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre is very disappointed that she cannot actualize her plans for retirement.
Mrs. Lefebre is very disappointed that she cannot actualize her plans for retirement. Gradually, she has come to terms with her situation. There is no point in getting upset about it.
Diagnosis
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
It would be easier for Mrs. Lefebre if her family understood and accepted her limitations.
It would be easier for Mrs. Lefebre if her family understood and accepted her limitations. There would be less tension.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
At the daycare center, Mrs. Lefebre experiences a sense of being understood.
At the daycare center, about which she was initially skeptical, Mrs. Lefebre experiences a sense of being understood. This helps her discover what is good for her and not be overtaken by others’ fears.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre says, that doctors and therapists need to be able to explain the disease in order to recognise oneself in it.
Doctors and therapists need to be able to explain the disease in a way that people can recognize and position themselves within it, says Mrs. Lefebre. They should show ways of dealing with dementia.
Recommendations of the patients
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre can count on her friends every day.
Mrs. Lefebre is very close to her friends. Her friends take care of her situation, listen and accompany her. Mrs. Lefebre can count on her friends every day.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre goes for a walk outside to relieve the negative mood and the feeling of tension and stress.
Mrs. Lefebre goes for a walk outside to relieve negative mood and feelings of tension and stress. She also does breathing exercises.
What helps? - Patients' perspective
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Mrs. Lefebre recommends going to the doctor if something is wrong.
Mrs. Lefebre recommends going to the doctor when something is wrong, rather than thinking the discomfort will pass.
Recommendations of the patients
Dementia
Frau Lefebre
Doctors should be made aware that dementia is not a harmless disease, says Mrs. Lefebre. They should get to the bottom of their patients' complaints.
Doctors should be made aware that dementia is not a harmless disease. They should listen to their patients and get to the bottom of their complaints, says Mrs. Lefebre.
Recommendations of the patients
Dementia
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