Dementia is a challenging journey—for the person diagnosed and for their loved ones, too. Knowing what’s out there, what to look for, and what to do when you find it can make a big difference. In this blog post, we will answer the Top five Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia.
What Support is there for Dementia Caregivers and family
There are many ways that families living with dementia can seek help and support :
- Medical: Regular neurologist or primary care physician visits are essential for following up on treatment. With the help of specialists, symptoms can be managed, and progression can be slowed.
- In-home care: Caregivers for hire who help the seniors in their daily tasks of administering medication, proper feeding, and wound dressing, among others
- Support Groups: Joining support groups, whether in person or online, to share emotional support and practical advice with those who know the road.
- Temporary Respite Care – gives your primary caregiver a respite and a chance to recoup.
- Community Resources: Some communities offer programs for seniors with dementia, such as adult daycare centres and meal delivery services.
When should I consider a care home for a loved one with Dementia?
there are some signs that you should feel comfortable with taking this route or considering it:
- Safety: If the person tends to wander, fall or engage in other activities, this may result in serious injury.
- Health requirements: if a person requires medical care that suits your needs at the care home (this could be a specialist for heart or diabetes care).
- Caregiver Stress: It can reach a point where emotionally or physically caring for a loved one is no longer a long-term option for the family “caregivers.”
- Behavioural Changes: Aggressive behaviour cannot be effectively treated in the home.
What Are the Three Golden Rules of Dementia?
Three golden rules are basic guidelines for caregivers to help them manage dementia-patient interactions.
- Retain dignity: Always make the person feel respected and honour their choice and privacy.
- Safety: Keep People Safe from Accidents and Injuries
- Enhance Quality of Life: Prepare familiar activities and retain Social Connections.
What are the signs of dementia deteriorating?
Dementia advances over time, and detecting the seems of declining signs is of the utmost importance:
- Heightened forgetfulness begins with struggling to recall recent happenings and memory failures regarding familiar faces.
- Troublesome Communication: translating words, engaging dialogue, and getting expressions out
- Confusion: increased confusion in time, place and person.
- Changes in behaviour: Increased irritability, aggression, anger, or anxiety or acting out behaviour, acting in behaviour, depression.
- Loss of competence for normal movement: Trouble with coordination, balance, and regular exercises.
Is Someone with Dementia Aware They Are Forgetful?
The extent to which they are aware of the confusion and whether the amount changes can depend on the type of dementia. People are often still relatively cognitively intact in the early stages, and you may feel frustrated and anxious in response to your difficulties. Dementia is a progressive disease, and those with it often lose self-awareness – they sometimes have no idea they are even becoming confused.
How Do You Know What Stage of Dementia Someone Is In?
There are three stages to dementia in the majority of cases;
- Mild Stage: Duties and responsibilities cannot be adequately handled, it is hard to recall recent information, it is difficult to find the right words to use and an increasing change in mood and personality.
- Moderate Stage: More forgetfulness, less concern; confusion; problems with daily activities; behaviour changes more marked
- Severe Stage: more severe brain volume loss, severe cognitive decline, extreme personality changes, and no actual ability to communicate. Complete dependence on care from others.
A complete evaluation, including cognitive tests, medical history, and health care professionals’ observations of daily functioning, is required to determine the stage.
Conclusion
Caring for someone with dementia is a very challenging but also enriching journey. This list of guiding principles has been derived from a careful review of critical signs and available resources by which families can confidently and compassionately navigate this path. It is important to remember that one of the most valuable things you can do for your loved one is to ask for help and to help yourself.
