The hair turns white, the skin wrinkles, these signs do not deceive when you watch a loved one grow old. What the eye does not see, however, is that the brain is also affected by the passage of time. In order to better understand this process, the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) is launching a new digital platform.
This web portal called “Au fil du temps” contains video clips and podcasts hosted by the President of the OPQ, Dr.D Christine Grou.
Through this initiative, the order wishes to counter the psychological mistreatment of seniors. It is explained that several insidious behaviors can develop when one misunderstands the functioning of the brain of the elderly.
“Physical or financial abuse is not abuse that is unaware of itself”, underlines first of all the DD Grou, herself a psychologist. However, she adds that many people can be psychologically abusive without knowing it and even mistakenly believe that they are acting with benevolence.
This clumsiness is explained by “a lack of knowledge of what is going on in the brain of an aging person”, explains the president of the OPQ, “especially when there is pathological aging or what is commonly called dementia. “.
For example, we talk about a person forced to leave their home to go to a long-term care center to whom we repeat that “it’s for the best” and that “it’s going to be fine”. This person is grieving and knows that they are not necessarily moving towards a better future. According to the DD Grou, above all, you have to show empathy.
In another case, a person with aphasia who does not fully understand the first time when someone speaks to him has the same message repeated louder and louder until he shouts. This person might have an aggressive reaction and with good reason. If she does not manage to decode the message, she is perfectly able to detect that she is being attacked by shouting.
Furthermore, the DD Grou reminds us that we must avoid infantilizing seniors or making decisions for them.
“You have to try to understand who she was before becoming an aging person,” she says. We do not recognize how difficult it is to lose decision-making autonomy. »
Five themes are addressed in the content posted online: brain aging; neurocognitive disorders; how to help; leave home; and take care of yourself.
The platform is for everyone, since aging is inevitable. It should also be of particular interest to caregivers and caregivers who work with elderly patients.
“We are all going to get there, at one time or another, whether it is with a healthy brain or with a brain that has a health problem, so I think we have every interest in being interested in it”, insists Christine Grou.
The order has received support from the Ministry of Health and Social Services to develop this platform, the content of which should be improved over the next five years.
“In an ideal world, we would always have a good assessment of the person and access to a professional who would explain how to intervene, but we don’t often have that. So, we hope it will help as many people as possible, ”concludes the DD Group.
The platform is accessible at aufildutemps.quebec. You can also find podcasts on most platforms dedicated to this medium.
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