As a condition that almost exclusively only affects people later in life, dementia can be a difficult condition for people to cope with when it affects their loved ones. It’s a condition that causes our brain cells to rapidly decline, leading to difficulties with daily tasks and memory-related tasks. As our loved ones age, their dementia may progress at varying paces, causing an increasing number of concerns and issues.
After diagnosing dementia, it’s estimated that one may live up to another 10 years. However, with the right level of care and attention, it’s possible that they can live up to 20 years or more.
So if you have a loved one that you suspect may have dementia, it’s vital that you seek professional assistance as early as possible to ensure that they are taken care of and their needs are provided for.
The Early Signs of Dementia
Detecting the early signs of dementia is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved ones are given the right assistance and care.
The most common signs of dementia include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with daily tasks
- Language and speech-related issues
- Feeling disoriented in terms of time and place
- Difficulty remembering things
- Misplacing important items
- Poor judgement
- Drastic mood changes
- Social withdrawal
As a single symptom, these can be attributed to many different conditions that one may face in life. However, they each represent a common symptom of dementia, and as such should be taken seriously especially if the individual is between the ages of 45 and 65, the most common age range for early dementia diagnosis.
Understanding the Stages of Dementia
It’s also important to understand the different stages of dementia. As a progressive condition, the amount of care and assistance one needs will be relative to the stage of dementia that they are experiencing. It’s important to note that symptoms can affect people at different rates and stages, but this should give a rough idea of the stage of dementia that someone is at.
Early Stage
During the early stages of dementia, individuals will likely show little to no signs of cognitive decline. However, they may be a little more apathetic and less enthusiastic than usual. They’ll gradually start to lose interest in their hobbies, and they may find it hard to try new things.
As the dementia progresses, they might start to show poor judgement and decision-making skills. They will take longer to grasp new concepts, and they’ll start to show signs of forgetfulness. They may misplace items regularly, be less understanding of others, and perhaps even more irritable when they make mistakes.
Moderate Stage
In the moderate stage, dementia symptoms are more obvious and will start to negatively affect one’s life. For example, they may start to confuse the time, may forget where they are, or will say that they feel lost despite being in a familiar place. They may have difficulty remembering a loved one’s name, or they could start confusing different loved ones.
These stages may also hurt one’s motor skills. They may have difficulty hearing things, and they may complain about their sight or being able to see things that aren’t there. It could also affect their personal hygiene as they’ll forget to wash, and they may even have trouble remembering to eat.
Advanced Stage
At the advanced stages, symptoms become even more severe and debilitating. They will have trouble remembering anything for a few minutes, and they may even lose their ability to speak or understand speech. They will show little to no recognition of friends and family members, and they’ll have trouble walking and may be confined to a wheelchair.
In the final months, individuals with advanced dementia may become permanently immobile, or they’ll be completely bedridden.
Throughout these stages, an individual may still possess some sense of touch and hearing. They’ll also be able to respond to emotions, although with varying levels of success.
Regardless of the stage of dementia that your loved ones may be in, it’s vital to provide them with the right level of care and assistance to enhance their quality of life.
Support for Your Loved Ones With Dementia
Dementia care requires a personal touch because every individual has their own needs and requirements. Experienced and compassionate caregivers tailor their services to your loved ones, ensuring that all of their needs are met with high-quality standards.
Good dementia care starts with a personalised plan. Plans should be developed with specific needs and preferences in mind, and this involves collaborating with family members and healthcare professionals alike to ensure a complete approach. However, we also understand that individuals with dementia will have evolving needs. As such, personalised plans should be reviewed on a regular basis should something change.
Types of Dementia Care
Dementia care Adelaide typically focuses on four different avenues: communication, respite, stimulation, and nursing.
Communication emphasises companionship, ensuring that your loved ones always have an opportunity to engage in conversations. This may involve regular visits from caregivers, or group activities that involve friends and family members.
Respite is important to give family caregivers a break from their responsibilities. It’s always good to have family members take part in providing dementia care, and trained professionals can offer advice to support such roles.
Stimulation involves both physical and mental activities to keep the mind and body active. It usually includes some form of physical activity such as regular walks or general stretching, and brain activities that range from puzzles and crosswords to memory and video games.
Lastly, nursing is important to take care of one’s medical needs. Medication can also be prescribed to manage the symptoms of dementia. Regular monitoring, assessment, and evaluation can help to track the progression of dementia, which can be used to prepare the right safety precautions in the event of accidents and injuries.
