Dementia
No one wants to think about an elderly loved one suffering from dementia, but when doubt begins to creep in, it’s best to know the warning signs.
Dementia can only be diagnosed by a doctor, but there are several general signs that a doctor’s visit should be on the schedule. They include the following;
-memory loss, especially about recent events
-difficulty planning or solving problems
-difficulty with familiar tasks
-increased confusion /or confusion about time or place
-challenges understanding visual information
-speaking or writing problems
-misplacing things
-poor judgment or decision-making
-personality or behavior changes
-apathy, social withdrawal or depression
The AgingCare.com website offers even more signs to look for in your elderly loved one. Those include;
-inability to control emotions,
-delusions, hallucinations,
-repeatedly asking the same questions or telling the same stories
-inability to follow directions
-confusing or failing to recognize or remember people and places
-eating poorly, not bathing
Many people incorrectly use the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s interchangeably, but knowing the difference is really very important because treatment varies, according to the AARP.
Dementia is simply an irreversible decline in mental function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of the diagnosed cases. Other forms include vascular dementia, which is caused by high blood pressure and is the second most often diagnosed form of dementia.
Some prescription drugs are available that can help minimize symptoms and make the patient’s quality of life better, but there is no cure, according to AgingCare.com.
Some medical conditions can also cause dementia-like symptoms that can be reversed with the proper medication or treatment. A great example is dehydration, which can cause temporary symptoms that mimic dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic.
WebMD suggests that about half of those 80 and older have some form of dementia, and even about 5 percent or more of those just over 65 suffer.
What to do after the diagnoses, though?
Because dementia causes so much stress and anxiety for both the patient and caregiver, a daily routine is essential, according to SmartBrainAging.com. Following a routine from morning to night eases the stress for everyone involved, creates confidence for the patient and also helps him maintain mental and physical functions as well as a sense of awareness.
The Alzheimer’s Association has incredible suggestions for creating a written plan. Take a look at https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan.
Before putting pen to paper, take stock of your loved one’s likes, dislikes, habits, interests and strengths. For example, a person who has eaten lunch at 12 p.m. every day for 75 years might not want lunch moved to 1 p.m. on his daily schedule. Keep in mind that the person suffering from dementia will change over time so a plan will have to be updated from time to time, too.
“Planning activities for a person with dementia works best when you continually explore, experiment and adjust,” according to the association.
While organization and routine will help, caring for dementia patients will still be difficult. The Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving stresses that dementia patients have a brain disorder “that makes it more and more difficult for them to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, and take care of themselves” according to the group’s website at https://www.caregiver.org/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors .
The group also has information to help navigate potentially volatile situations and includes a list of 10 communication strategies to diffuse frustration. The website includes detailed information, but the basic ideas include the following;
–set a positive mood for interaction
–get the person’s attention by limiting distractions and noise
–be clear about the message and use simple words and sentences, speak slowly, distinctly, and in a reassuring tone
–ask simple, answerable questions
–listen with ears, eyes, and heart, be patient
–break down activities into a series of steps.
–when the going gets tough, distract and redirect
–respond with affection and reassurance
–remember the good old days – talking about the past is often soothing and affirming
–maintain your sense of humor
If your parent or elderly loved one refuses to accept the dementia diagnosis, remember your job is not to convince them of the diagnosis, but to keep them safe, according to Alzheimers.net. Focus on strategies to help the patient feel loved and safe. I watched both of my grandfathers suffer with different forms of Dementia and it is very hard on the caregivers as well. Spending time looking at wedding albums and photos from the past is often good therapy for the patient and caregiver alike.
