Anne (55) prepares two plates of vegetable salad, one for Jean Paul and one for herself. She places the plates on the table, and they eat together.
Afterwards, they sit side by side watching television—a gripping police series. Both are fully engaged.
Three housemates sit on the couch watching television. Anne (61) sits at a desk with her back to them. She picks up a diary and reads for a moment, then puts it away and stares blankly into space.
Three housemates sit on the couch watching television, laughing and reacting to what they see.
Anne (62) sits quietly at the dining table at some distance from them. Her gaze is unfocused.
The theme of this teaching material is apathy.
Apathy is an umbrella term for a loss of interest, motivation, and energy. It is observed in most people with Down syndrome who develop dementia and is sometimes described as an early sign of the condition, as it is often among the first noticeable changes.
The case “I am Anne” explores Anne’s life story and the onset of her dementia, including early signs such as 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
There are different ways to respond to apathy in a person with dementia. In daily life, it can be difficult to find the right balance between providing enough stimulation and avoiding overstimulation. At times, there may be too strong a focus on development or activation, while it is equally important to give increasing attention to the lived experience of the person with dementia.
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 managing stimuli? '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 .
