Project builds 'cognitive friendly' neighborhoods

Support services

Advanced cognitive impairment sees many seniors getting lost and requiring all-day care, while some may exhibit behavioral problems, including irrational anger and a lack of interest in basic hygiene.

The problem causes difficulties for their families and hampers the caring process. That means family support is crucial in building a community that is "friendly" to the cognitively impaired.

"While building the pilot, many professional social organizations set up family support centers in the community to provide caregiver training for family members and coffee events where they can chat about problems to release the pressure they feel. That is helping us to establish a comprehensive, family-based system," Jiang said.

Ge, 75, has been taking care of her cognitively impaired husband, Jiang, since long before Shanghai Jinmei Elderly Care set up its family support center. Jiang, who was diagnosed with moderate cognitive impairment two years ago, requires help with many daily activities.

However, he has a high sense of self-worth and his emotional state fluctuates. He used to become angry and uncooperative whenever Ge complained or was fatigued, which led to her developing insomnia and depression.

At the local memory home, Ge takes part in family support events while Jiang attends intervention sessions. Ge now realizes that she was too meticulous and asked too much of Jiang, so she has adapted her care methods and learned to tolerate his behavior and praise him.

She often chats with others in the same situation, which eases her mental burden and has gradually helped improve her husband's moods.

Jiang Rui, from the bureau, said, "Family members can get multidimensional support, from caring skills to psychological comfort, through our on-and offline services, and seniors with cognitive impairment can also receive better care."