Cognitive Rehabilitation Case Study: Chris and TV Remote

Our Story

Background

Childhood sweethearts, we both took early retirement after years of committed hard work in two very different professions. Since then, we have experienced five life changing events followed by Chris’s diagnosis of early onset dementia.

Cognitive Rehabilitation

It was a complete fluke that we found out about this service. The relationship between us and Justin was important. It has been positive from day one. It offered us a level of service that we ourselves always delivered. “We had a television which our son brought us for our Ruby wedding anniversary and I couldn’t use it. I were really frightened. I thought I’d break it. He spent so much money on it” (Chris).

Chris’ Goal: I will learn how to turn the tv on and off and choose my favourite tv channels.

It was a very personal adaptation to the television control. For example, working together on how to make that ‘home button’ easier- we added glitter! Working with Justin has been part of a jigsaw of services that has helped Chris to move forward over the past few months. It also fits into family life. It’s all been such a positive experience. One day I came home and Chris was chuffed because he had turned the television on.  He excitedly said “I did it”. He was so happy to tell our son, Ross, that the gift he had given us, Chris could now use. “I couldn’t do it and now I know it doesn’t break. Well, it’s still here and it’s working!” (Chris)

Key points

• Learning techniques used in simple steps can help to relearn a skill.
• Simplifying the task can be used to keep doing something, e.g. labels on the TV remote control.
• Adapting information can help it become more accessible as in the example here →