Dementia care can be daunting but might not be as difficult as you’d expect. Whether you care for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia or is a senior care expert approaching your role with a bit of knowledge — the proper attitude is critical to success. Informing yourself about dementia, as well as keeping a positive yet realistic attitude permits you to sustain control as a caregiver. It might take the sting out of shocking challenges you come across and additionally improve the care you provide. Below are 3 important facts you should consider as you approach your role caring for someone who has dementia:
Dementia Consists of More than Memory Loss
A classic dementia symptom is memory loss. However, some kinds of dementia, particularly Pick’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, manifest themselves as personality changes instead of memory loss. Symptoms depend upon the areas of the brain affected by the disease. Even as memory loss is the most obvious symptom, the individual who has dementia is suffering neurological decline which may lead to a plethora of other problems. A person might develop difficult moods and behaviors. For instance, a prim and proper grandma might start to curse a lot. Or a trusting gentleman might come to think that his family is plotting revenge against him or suffer other delusions and hallucinations. In the latest phases of most kinds of dementia, people do not independently have the ability to do tasks of daily living (like toileting and dressing). They might become non-communicative, not have the ability to recognize family members and even not have the ability to move around.
Be Realistic Caregiver
Be very realistic about what will constitute success within the progression of the disease. Success helps to assure that the individual you’re caring for is safe and as happy and comfortable as possible. Many skilled dementia caregivers will inform you that the individual they care for has bad days and good days. Try to foster the good days and the good moments for the dementia sufferer, do not try to force them. In addition, be realistic about the disease’s course. Keep in mind that most kinds of dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s, are irreversible and progressive. Dementia usually gets worse over time, and there isn’t any known cure. (One exception is dementia that is induced by medicines, which may be reversed when medicines are withdrawn.)
Actively Empathize
Care begins with compassion and empathy. It holds true in all relationships yet might be particularly salient for dementia caregivers. For instance, dementia sufferers are susceptible to becoming confused about their location, or even the period of time in which they’re living. For example, think about how you felt and would wish to be treated if you all of a sudden discovered yourself to be disoriented in an unfamiliar area, not even certain of the year or your own identity.
For more information on caring for someone suffering from dementia contact the highly specialized home care professionals at Partners for Home today!
