Persons with dementia gradually lose their memory to the point of forgetting their family’s faces. Learn how to handle people with dementia.
Dementia is the diagnosis to people who find it extremely difficult to think and/or communicate. The usual symptom of dementia is the loss of memory. They forget simple tasks like putting on clothes or even their names. It is not a disease but a condition.
There are many underlying causes of dementia, such as: Alzheimer’s disease, head injury, tumor of the brain, and stroke. All these causes can affect brain cells that ultimately lead to dementia.
Brain functions include language, memory, perception and cognitive skills. To be diagnosed with dementia, two or more functions of these brain functions must be remarkably affected while the patient is still conscious.
There are some drug remedies for dementia. They cannot totally treat dementia but can delay the progression of the disease. Dementia slowly progress from mild, to moderate, then severe.
Mild Dementia
People with mild dementia can still go on with their daily activities like driving. They however experience difficulties in working and socializing already.
Moderate Dementia
Close attention and supervision is necessary. Living alone is dangerous for them. Driving is prohibited.
Severe Dementia
Round the clock supervision is required. People with severe dementia are unable to observe personal hygiene, can’t express themselves clearly and find it difficult to speak. People in this late stage are psychologically handicapped and may lose muscular functions.
Families with a member afflicted with dementia find it hard and difficult to deal with their sick loved ones. Communication is the number one challenge. It is frustrating not to be able to express feelings verbally.
Family members are usually expected to be the first ones to understand the condition of the demented. It is not good to argue with them because they cannot understand. They will just be agitated.
Be informed about this condition so as not to be disappointed when dealing with demented people.
A demented is agitated easily with abrupt changes in the environment. They are also agitated in challenging situations, like being unable to express what they want. Give them easy and simple tasks as much as possible.
People with dementia hallucinate in frightening situations. Keep a lively and joyful environment in their presence.
Demented people are prone to accidents because of their condition. Careful not to embarrass them to preserve their dignity. Be sensitive. They need all the love and understanding.
Accidents commonly happen in the bathroom. Be a step ahead in helping demented people use the toilet. Always have a commode and pads within reach in the bathroom.
Put fences in your yard to keep them from wandering too far. Place warning signs or stop signs to doors. It sometimes help to conceal doorknobs to prevent them from going out alone. Install an alarm system. A medical bracelet is useful to track them when they get lost. Set regular physical activities or exercises for them.
There are lists of diagnostic procedures for dementia. Doctors usually start with the patient’s history. Physical examination and neurological evaluations can help identify causes of dementia such as stroke. CT or Computed Tomographic scan, MRI, EEGs or electroencephalograms, functional MRI, SPECT, PET, MEG or magneto encephalography are some of the diagnostic tests. Laboratory tests such as CBC, urinalysis, alcohol test, test for blood glucose, and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid are necessary in ruling out conditions producing the same symptoms.
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