To pay for the coffee, Anne (55) takes a ten-euro note from her wallet and argues briefly with Jean Paul. Satisfied, she picks up her change. ‘Now I have change again,’ she says. Once outside, she calls after him, ‘Hey, where are you going?’
Anne (55) gets out of the car, crosses the street, and walks to the ATM. She carries out the transaction decisively, takes her money and the receipt, and explains step by step how she withdrew the cash and what she plans to do with it.
After a jump in time, Anne (62) stands at the ATM and enters her PIN. Leendert corrects her and guides her through the steps displayed on the screen. Eventually, the transaction is successful. Anne then shuffles away holding the money, the receipt, and her debit card. Leendert helps her put the money into her bag.
The loss of familiar routines is known as apraxia, which is the focus of this teaching material. Apraxia is caused by disrupted control from the brain. For a person with dementia, everyday activities become increasingly difficult. Tasks that were once performed almost automatically—such as making a sandwich, brushing teeth, setting the table, or hanging up laundry—no longer come naturally. Even with careful thought, these actions may no longer be possible.
The case “I am Anne” explores Anne’s life story and the early stages of her dementia, including getting lost. It also provides important context for the other cases; therefore, it is recommended to watch I am Anne again.
Share this case with others
You may respond in different ways when you see a person with dementia looking confused and think, “What should I do?” This moment often brings fear and uncertainty, not only for the person themselves but also for those around them. It can lead to misunderstandings or irritation. At other times, things go well. You may be able to help someone remain independent by breaking an activity into small steps, demonstrating the action, or making instructions clearer with the help of pictures.
What works—and what does not—varies from person to person and from moment to moment. The situation is often unpredictable. As a professional or informal caregiver, you are the one who must find the most appropriate response. In doing so, you will continually encounter questions, many of which have ethical implications.
Would you like to learn more about dealing with apraxia? 'The caregiver’s companion to intellectual disabilities and dementia: 100 real-life questions and answers' will be released soon. For now, it is available in Dutch.
