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How to Care for Your Loved One with Dementia

By Tom Pierson posted 05-12-2019 20:41

  

Caring for your loved one with dementia can be very challenging at times, especially if you’re not properly prepared. It’s crucial you act on time and notice the early warning signs. Don’t attribute problems with memory to old age. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t wait for a crisis to take action. Apart from allowing you to prepare for learning how to care for your loved one with dementia, acting on time may help the development of this disease to slow down. It’s worth mentioning there are a lot of different medications that can help people combat dementia.


Communicate


This disease will completely change the way your loved one communicates. He or she may start having trouble expressing their thoughts and emotions. If you get frustrated whenever this happens, your loved one may get aggressive. The first thing you need to understand is that dementia is a serious disease, which means your loved one is not being aggressive on purpose. In fact, in most cases fear is the reason why aggression is even being displayed. According to an article published by the Alzheimer’s Association, your best bet would be to identify what caused this type of behavior.


Since poor communication can also cause aggression, you can try improving it by being more positive and talking in a calm tone. In case your loved one is having trouble understanding you, try speaking slowly and constructing simple sentences. If you notice him or her displaying any type of negative emotion, be sure to acknowledge it. Keep in mind that people with dementia will get even more frustrated if they think you don’t follow what they’re saying.


Connect with Other People


Seeing a loved one suffer from dementia can be a devastating experience. Not only will you see their memory deteriorate, but you’ll often have the feeling like they’re someone else. In order to get through this, it’s recommended you connect with other people. It’s worth noting there are countless support groups for people who take cares of their loved ones with dementia.


Talking with other people will help you learn how to better manage your daily routine. Note that talking with others who’re going through the same thing as you will lower the risk of depression and chronic stress. In case you don’t like the idea of talking about your life with other people, you can always contact your family members and close friends for support. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help when you need it.


Try Different Treatment Options


One of the main reasons why dementia is such a big problem today is because many people ignore the symptoms and don’t get treatment. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to diagnose dementia with one test. In most cases, your loved one will have to go through a number of tests before an official diagnosis. If you see someone close to you unable to perform daily functions, then you should take him or her to a doctor immediately. It’s crucial you do this as soon as possible, since there are quite a few different treatment options for dementia that may help your loved one.


Some of the most common forms of medication used to treat dementia include cholinesterase inhibitors. They are mostly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but can also be an effective way to help patients suffering from dementia. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by boosting levels of a neurotransmitter associated with memory and judgment.


Apart from medications, there are also different types of therapies used to treat dementia. For instance, cognitive stimulation therapy encourages patients to work in groups in order to improve their language ability, memory, and problem-solving skills. On the other hand, cognitive rehabilitation involves your loved one working with a trained professional to learn both forgotten and new skills.

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