Are you noticing early Signs of Dementia in your loved one? Contrary to common belief, the symptoms of dementia, including forgetfulness and confusion, etc., are not a natural part of the aging process. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the early symptoms of dementia in your loved one to make the decision of placing them in assisted living facilities or a personal care home in Missouri City.
This article aims to raise awareness regarding the symptoms of dementia.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a disease that results in cognitive decline to the extent that it interferes with an individual’s daily life. Dementia can result not only in mood swings but also in personality changes. This cognitive decline starts with minor forgetfulness in its mildest stage to the severe stage of depending on others for basic functioning.
It is important to note that even though dementia is common in old age, it is not a normal part of aging. Many people in their 90s and over live without any symptoms of dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term for the cognitive functioning decline. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. The symptoms of various other types of dementia vary based on the type.
What Are The Signs Of Dementia?
Early signs of dementia surface when nerve cells in the brain lose connection with other cells and die. While every individual loses neurons as they become older, this decline in neurons is greater in people with dementia.
The signs of early dementia can vary from person to person. However, these are a few common signs and symptoms of dementia.
- Memory loss or forgetfulness, confusion, and poor judgment
- Difficulty in speaking, forgetting words, losing a train of thought
- Difficulty in understanding language and expressing themselves
- Difficulty in reading and writing
- Getting lost in a familiar place
- Trouble paying bills or handling money
- Repeating questions or phrases
- Difficulty in completing daily tasks or taking normal than usual
- Being isolated
- Losing interest in once-loved activities
- Acting on impulse
- Paranoia or delusions
- Losing balance and focus
People who have developmental and intellectual disabilities can also develop dementia as they get older; however, it can be difficult to identify. Therefore, it is important to take into account an individual’s current capabilities and monitor changes over time to identify signs of dementia.
Dementia Home Care
Many of the 5.8 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s diseas and other forms of dementia choose to live at home, which has been demonstrated to prolong their lives and keep them happier and healthier.
However, home care isn’t always simpler because it sometimes relies on friends and family to provide care. Without the right support, these well-intentioned family members risk burning out.
As the progression of dementia continues, the caretaker’s responsibilities also increase. Therefore, utilize the tips given here to ensure your loved one gets proper care and attention, and the caretaker also stays healthy and happy.
Accept Your Loved One’s Condition
The individual and their family and friends must cope with a dementia diagnosis. A diagnosis often marks the start of a protracted and uncertain journey. The future may be challenging, but knowledge and tools are there to support you.
Many families start the process of accepting their situation by discovering more Alzheimer’s support groups. These organizations frequently hold counseling services for dementia sufferers and their families. They can also link families with local experts and resources. Families need to be reassured that individuals with this disease can nevertheless lead very fulfilling lives. It might be simpler for the caretakers once they understand that.
Dementia Home Care Is A Full-Time Job
For some caregivers, taking care of a loved one with dementia is like having full-time employment. However, a lot of effort, care, and lifestyle adjustments may be necessary to ensure the loved one’s health.
Plan by looking for possibilities for quick breaks, just as with any job. Ask your loved one’s relatives if they are able to take care of them overnight. If that doesn’t work, look at other preventative measures for burnout.
Reduce Daily Frustrations
There will come a time when your loved one with dementia will find their daily chores challenging. Here are a few tips to cope with that.
Schedule your daily routine. Taking baths, visiting the doctor, or other tasks need to be scheduled. You can also schedule your loved one’s sleeping and waking up routine for maximum productivity.
Give it some time. Plan ahead for activities and keep in mind that it may take your loved one longer than usual to do.
Include the patient. Give your loved one minor help and let them accomplish things on their own. For instance, if you lay down clothes in the closet, they can dress themselves freely or arrange the wardrobe with the help of visual clues.
Give them options. You can offer your loved ones a few options to choose from. However, don’t give them a lot as they may get overwhelmed. They can choose between two pieces of clothing, or whether to eat eggs or oatmeal for breakfast.
Give them clear directions. A clear and simple conversation is most easily understood by individuals who have dementia.
Put a cap on naps. Avoid taking extended or numerous naps throughout the day. Doing so reduces the possibility of them sleeping during the day and staying awake at night.
Lessen the distractions. To assist dementia patients in focusing during meals and conversations, switch off the television and reduce other distractions.
Reduce Injuries And Hazards
Dementia affects reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. This increases the risk of injury. You can:
Avoid falling. You can prevent falls by removing electrical wires, and any other obstacles. Instead, install hold bars in most-visited areas, such as the bathroom.
Apply locks. Have cabinets and closets closed and locked if they contain potentially-hazardous equipment, such as knives and lighters.
Check the water’s temperature before bath times to reduce the chances of burning.
Prevent fires by keeping an eye on the patient if they smoke. Also, keep matches and lighters out of the reach of small children.
Consider Getting Medical Alert Accessories
As dementia worsens, safety concerns increase. Consider participating in services that can enhance or track the safety of dementia sufferers if you want peace of mind. Numerous services provide medical ID bracelets or round-the-clock help in the event that a beloved with dementia drifts off or becomes misplaced. Medical alert services (like Life Alert) can aid if more support is required by monitoring loved ones and alerting caretakers if there is no reply.
Be Flexible
A patient suffering from dementia will gradually become increasingly dependent. Therefore, stay adaptable and modify your schedule and expectations as necessary to minimize frustration.
Consider purchasing a few similar outfits, for instance, if the individual wishes to wear the same attire every day. If taking a bath is confronted with resistance, think about doing it less frequently.
Getting Help From Dementia Caregivers
When starting at-home care for a family member who has dementia, there are several factors to take into account. Changes will have to be made in the legal, environmental, health, and social spheres. Safety issues, medical care, medication administration, nutrition help, and other issues can all be helped with by dementia caregivers. They can be incredibly beneficial if a loved one has additional medical issues that require treatment.
Some caregivers may perform an initial evaluation to carefully examine your living space and residence. Then, they will compile a list of requirements and collaborate with caretakers to focus on the home situation adjustments that will have the biggest impact. Together, carers and dementia care managers can address safety issues or get rid of possible issues before they turn into a problem.
Dementia Care Homes
Sometimes family caregivers may find themselves unable to provide for their cherished ones. Adult daycare facilities offer amusement and care for adults with dementia while allowing their carers much-needed breaks if more assistance is required during the daytime.
Bottom Line
Dementia is a disease in which an individual suffers from cognitive decline due to rapid neuron deficiency. Although dementia is thought to be a disease of old people, it is not a normal part of the aging process.
There are various early signs of dementia, including forgetfulness, difficulty talking and understanding, getting lost in familiar places, and difficulty completing everyday tasks.
Taking care of your loved one with dementia at home requires several changes in the environment and daily routine. First, you would have to make your home a safe space with no means of accidents or injuries.
Getting overwhelmed during dementia home care is normal and common. But, if you’re in search of assisted living facilities in Missouri City, Optimum Personal Care provides a personal care home with medical assistance, personal care, love, and belonging. You can find more information about them at info@optimumpersonalcare.com.