Dementia is not a specific disease, it affects memory, thinking, and behavior that interferes with the performance of daily activities. The most common dementia is Alzheimer’s. Although dementia most often affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.
How is dementia treated?
Treatment of dementia depends on the underlying cause. Neurodegenerative dementias like Alzheimer’s disease have no recovery. However, there are medications that can protect the brain or relieve symptoms such as anxiety or behavioral changes. Research to develop further treatments is ongoing.
A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy diet and maintaining social contacts, reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases and can reduce the number of people with dementia.
A loved one with dementia will required support in home when the disease gets worsen. We can help them by trying to know how the person with dementia recognize the world. Gave the opportunity to the person to talk about any difficulties in their own daily care.
Dementia Care at home
Start by talking with health care provider. Ask how you can:
- Help the person to stay calm and positioned.
- Facilitate getting dressed and personal hygiene
- Communicate with the person
- Help him to remember the things
- Manage behavioral and sleeping problems
- Encourage activities that are both stimulating and fun
Tips for minimize the doubts in people with dementia include:
- Keep familiar objects and people close to you. Family photo albums can be useful.
- Leave lights on at night.
- Use reminders, notes, lists of routine tasks, or instructions for daily activities.
- Keep a simple activity schedule.
- Talk about current events.
Interactions with people can help them to improve communication skills and prevent wandering.
Playing music can reduce wandering and restlessness, relieve anxiety, and improve sleep and behavior.
Supervised meals can help with feeding. The person with Dementia will forget to eat and drink and can become dehydrated. Discuss with the Doctor about the diet of the dementia persons.
Also talk to the provider about:
- Watch out for choking hazards and what to do if choking occurs
- How to increase safety in your home
- How you can prevent falls
- How to maintain the safety of the person’s in bathroom
An identification Bracelet needs to wear these persons which was introduced by The Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return. If any emergency, the caregivers can contact the nearest police station and the national Safe Return office. They keep the information about these patients.
Eventually, people with suffering from dementia requires 24/7 monitoring and need help to provide a safe environment, limit the aggressive or rude behavior, and meet their requirements.
LONG-TERM CARE
Persons with dementia may require monitoring and help at home. Possible options include:
- Adult day care
- Boarding homes
- Nursing homes
- In-home care
There are lot of organizations are available to help these dementia patients. They include:
- Adult protective services
- Community resources
- Local or state government agency departments for aging
- Visiting nurses or aides
- Volunteer services
Family counselling can help family members to understand about the situation.