The Enriched Model of Dementia

The Enriched Model of Dementia was developed in 1997 by Tom Kitwood.

 

Its purpose was to change the way in which we think about caring for and communicating with an individual that lives with dementia and to recognise the “personhood” of that individual.

 

The model consists of the five factors that affect how well an individual lives with dementia:

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• Neurological Impairment

• Physical Health

• Biography

• Personality

• Social Psychology

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It is an upsetting fact that individuals living with dementia are still experiencing stigma, are not listened to and are not having their thoughts and feelings validated by those caring for them.

 

Social Psychology shows us that how we interact with an individual can have a huge effect on that individual’s psychological well being.

 

Improvisation sets out to support social psychology by creating positive relationships, communication and interactions between the individual and their carer.