How to Handle a Case of Dementia
Dementia has the terrible effect of making people lose their memories. There is a lot of stress that goes with caring for someone who has dementia. Here are the things that will help you manage the situation better with love and realism.
There is more to dementia than the common idea that it is memory loss. That loss is one sign of the condition. Some cases of dementia do not come with memory loss, more so for those who do not have Alzheimer’s disease. A less known form of dementia, for instance, is frontotemporal dementia. In this one the neurons in the front and side of the brain will begin to die off, thus causing the lobes to reduce in size. There shall thus be issued with planning activities, doing chores like cooking, concentrating on something, staying motivated, as well as personality changes. The more the damage, the more the changes. Since it is not a classic dementia presentation, it has been misdiagnosed as schizophrenia, depression, or Parkinson’s disease. As for those with Alzheimer’s disease, keep in mind that the effects will go beyond memory loss, since they are going through a neurological decline. They tend to do some of the most outrageous things.
Holding arguments with them is a waste of time. You need to forget the rational reactions one would expect in such situations. Dementia will deplete their rationality, thus making them the most irrational you ever saw. They are not interested in hurting you no matter how it looks. They will not take kindly to you trying to correct them. This only goes to make them feel insulted and belittled.
The best way to manage their distressing situations is to consider their feelings beyond their reactions. The times when they say those negative things, it is more than those words you hear. The best way to handle such situations is to get to the bottom of how they feel concerning what they are saying.
There is a need to ensure simple communication. They can no longer sustain a rational conversation. By going for simple conversations, you will understand each other better. As much as their conversations will begin well, they will not finish them well. Keep your sentences simple and direct.
You should then accept the new reality. You will have good days, and you will have some bad days. You need to see how to have good days, but not to force them. You need to then know that you help only goes so far. Dementia is a progressive and irreversible process. It may take longer, but it will never stop. You, therefore, will have to arrange for assisted living home or specialized care for them. You can learn about these provisions on this site.
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