The term dementia describes a group of common symptoms associated with illnesses caused by gradual and progressive death of the brain cells. Some examples of diseases presenting with dementia symptoms are Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Pick's disease, etc. Since there is no way these dead brain cells can be revived, dementia as it progresses can severely hamper the quality of life of the patients and make even routine activities unmanageable on their own.
It is, therefore, of utmost important to recognize dementia symptoms and get a diagnosis at the earliest possible. Though dementia by itself is incurable, medical support can help reduce the severity of dementia symptoms and enable the patient and his family members cope better. And the sooner you recognize dementia symptoms, the easier it is to manage them.
Identifying dementia symptoms
Dementia is mainly a disorder of the aged (above 60-65 years), unless it happens due to some injury to the brain or due to genetic factors. No doubt that memory loss and forgetfulness are a normal part of aging, but when their extent is such that they start interfering with routine daily-life tasks, something more than normal aging is at work. It is, therefore, important to go on alert mode and familiarize yourself with further signs and symptoms of dementia if you have an elderly person showing such traits. Alzheimer's disease organizations have prepared a checklist for recognizing dementia symptoms.
These are: - decline in short-term memory, even though long-term memory may still be intact. This means the person forgets what he said or did few hours back, but still remembers things from the past, - difficulty remembering recently read or learned things, - complete brain fog from time to time, e.g., not remembering at all whether medication has been taken or not just few minutes back, - difficulty finding words to convey information, - confusion regarding time and places, e.g., missing appointments and getting lost while driving, - misplacing things at odd places and not finding them later, - difficulty in problem solving, - mood swings and changes in behaviour, - loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, - slurred speech - general decline in other cognitive functions.
Managing dementia symptoms
Dementia is incurable, but it can be managed by healthcare professionals on a day-to-day basis. This requires, maybe not initially but definitely in the later stages, the patient to be housed in a professional health care home where the unique needs of a dementia patient are addressed. The kind of medical support a team of specialists in a care home can provide is not possible to provide at home.
Barchester care homes in UK are one such one-stop solution for management of patients suffering from dementia symptoms and other similar disabling conditions. Here dementia patients learn to live their life with dignity and enjoy it too despite their condition. The specially designed dementia nursing care programs held in a home-like environment make coping with dementia symptoms a relatively easy task. These programs include activities like reminiscence therapy, music therapy, exercise therapy, and life skills like gardening and pet care, among others.
Dementia Treatments
A gradual decline in brain function and mental abilities is a normal part of the aging process. However, in about 10% of the people over 65 years of age, this decline is accelerated - either due to a degenerative disease of the brain or due to damaged brain/nerve cells, e.g., due to injury or stroke.
This accelerated decline in brain function indicates the onset of dementia, characterized by progressive loss of memory, intellect, learning ability and social as well as communication skills.
Dementia can take many different forms, but what is common to all is that as the disease progresses the patient becomes more and more dependent on people around him. Without help, performing even routine tasks like maintaining personal hygiene, shopping, going out, etc., becomes difficult. Sometimes the patient can even endanger or harm himself if left on his own.
Thus, dementia nursing care forms an integral part of dementia treatment along with medical support. As of now, there is no cure for dementia and no drug that can halt or reverse the progression of dementia. However, several dementia treatment methods are available that can help control the symptoms and improve the quality of life of a dementia patient. These are:
Psychological treatment A number of psychological techniques can prove beneficial in helping the patient cope with dementia: Cognitive stimulation therapy: As the name implies, cognitive stimulation therapy involves stimulation of the cognitive abilities by involving the patient in activities and exercises created specifically to enhance memory, learning ability, problem solving skills, language comprehension, etc. Reality orientation therapy: This aims at easing the feelings of confusion and mental disorientation, as well as enhancing memory and self-esteem. Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy is employed to help treat behavioral problems arising from loss of judgment power, confusion and impulsiveness. In patients suffering from dementia, behavioral problems like depression, aggression, delusions, etc., are quite common.
Drug treatment When psychological methods fail to show satisfactory results, drugs are a way out to help a patient deal with dementia. The drugs need to be given under strict medical supervision as they may have some unpleasant side effects. Drugs for dementia may include antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperdal, olanzapine), mood stabilizers (e.g., fluoxetine, imipramine, citalopram), serotonin-regulating drugs (e.g., trazodone, buspirone) and stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate). In one form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used to ease behavioral problems. They help improve behavior by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine neurotransmitter. Some herbal preparations based on herbs like Gingko Biloba are also said to help improve memory and other brain functions.
Dementia nursing care Whatever the method of dealing with dementia symptoms, professional dementia nursing care plays a crucial role in dementia treatment. Beyond a certain stage it becomes extremely taxing for family members to take care of a dementia patient. A good dementia care home will ensure that the patient gets proper nutrition, exercise and the required medical support by trained professionals. Moreover, in a dementia care home the patient can interact with other similar patients. Barchester dementia care homes, for example, are a great option if you are based in UK.
Caring for People with Dementia
Dementia is perhaps one of the cruellest diseases. It can rob a person of dignity, of their personality, of their independence. Their friends and family can feel as though they are grieving for their loved one, and many are at a loss as to how best to support and care for them.
Specialist dementia care homes provide specialist dementia nursing care for individuals who are suffering from dementia at any stage. They are normally used when the dementia has progressed to an advanced stage, when the person’s loved ones are no longer able to support them to live independently.
But living at a home specialising in dementia care, or receiving dementia nursing care, may well be the best thing, since the best support is available on hand, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, alleviating the worry of the person’s loved ones that they will be alone or injured and unable to call for help at home. Care homes and homes offering nursing care for people with dementia, also have the best facilities on site to be able to maximise the person’s quality of life and give them much-needed independence and sense of self-worth and dignity.
Choosing a care home is a crucial decision and one that should be taken by those closest to the person with dementia. If you believe that your loved one can no longer safely be cared for at home, you should look around the homes you are considering, and consider whether the atmosphere and care given to the existing relatives is what you would want for your loved one.
Once a care home is chosen, you can speak at length with the care home staff to give them information about your loved one – perhaps providing a life story book, or telling them about their likes and dislikes, their personality and their particular needs. You should also provide comforting, familiar possessions that can be brought in to your loved one’s new home. Providing clothing that your loved one that reflects their style can add to their feeling of self-worth and help to preserve their identity.
A good quality care home for people with dementia will provide for their basic needs, including bathing, dressing, tending to their physical needs and ensuring that they have sufficiently nutritious food. But it will also provide for their emotional and intellectual needs, preserve their dignity and self-worth and provide them with a good quality of life.
Barchester Healthcare offers a range of services and support teams and experts to help your loved one towards rehabilitation. Barchester is committed to a person-centred approach to healthcare and takes pride in providing personalised services and support for its clients.