50 million people in the world live with some form of dementia. Ordinary day to day life can quickly become difficult for those individuals and their families. A dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming and scary, but with the right support, knowledge and care, the disease can be manageable. In fact, dementia patients can continue to have happy and fulfilling lives. So how can you ensure that your loved one has the support and care that they need? Here is some information to help you to understand what you may be facing.
What Exactly Is Dementia?
The term dementia actually covers a broad spectrum of medical conditions. These specific conditions are identified by memory loss, a decline in language skills and comprehension, and lapse of other assorted mental skills. While many different conditions are included under the umbrella term of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most commonly seen.
Dementia Care – The Basics
There are many suspected causes of dementia, and sadly there is no known cure or treatment; meaning that the disease progression cannot be stopped. Loved ones can, however, offer the support needed to make their lives easier, more enjoyable and less anxious.
Senior residents in memory care should stay engaged with an wide range of stimulating activities, pastimes and excursions. Even the simplest of interactions can garner a positive reaction from those living with dementia. With the right people and activities in place to stimulate them, individuals with dementia can:
- Develop close emotional bonds with their caregivers and others around them
- Minimize irritability and reduce stress
- Feel a sense of accomplishment and encouragement, allowing them to express themselves freely
Examples of engaging activities may be cooking a simple meal (or simply making cookies!), dancing to their favorite music, drawing or painting, or taking a walk down a path lined with flowers. All will stimulate the senses and engage a dementia patient, encouraging their sense of well-being.
Human Connection Makes All the Difference
Dementia patients often suffer from deep feelings of isolation, anxiety and confusion. The most productive and positive way to overcome these feelings is by establishing and maintaining strong human connection and relationships.
By sharing empathy, love and compassion, caregivers (whether at home or in a memory care center) can assist patients in feeling comfortable and cared for. These types of meaningful relationships are considered essential for effective memory care.
However, each person with dementia experiences the disease in a different way. The mental ramifications and support requirements change at each stage of dementia, and each person’s journey is unique to them. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to care is not effective nor recommended. Therefore we can refer to guidelines, but caregivers should always remain alert and flexible to the patients specific needs.
If you are a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient and think it may be time to move them to a professional facility, call A Banyan Residence in the Villages. We are happy to give you a tour of our memory care facility and discuss the options available to your family.
