Dementia is a term that describes a number of conditions that affect memory, language and speech, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although it can be caused by the death of your brain cells, it can also have roots in brain trauma or stroke, for instance. Many aging people and their families are worried about developing dementia later in life.
However, knowing more about dementia is the best way that you can prepare you and your family for its effects and dampen your fear of the condition.
What are the Symptoms of Dementia?
The symptoms of dementia vary depending on the type of condition that you have, although many are categorized by symptoms such as memory loss, an inability to complete daily tasks, disorientation when outside the home, mood swings such as anger and upset, and struggles with language and speech as a result of memory loss. Knowing these symptoms can help you to see them in others, and ensure that you and your relatives are able to go to the doctors at the first signs of these.
How is Dementia Treated?
The first thing that you should know is that dementia cannot be cured, although its progress can be slowed down somewhat by a number of different treatments. The major method used to treat dementia is medication, with there being a number of medications that can reduce the effects or side effects of the condition. These include anti-depressants to improve mood, memantine to control memory loss and the ability to learn, and cholinesterase inhibitors to slow down the breakdown of the brain’s chemicals that control memory.
There are also many therapies that can be used to help you or a loved one, and these include the successful reminiscence therapy, which includes discussing with your loved one about their pasts, favorite hobbies, and even just their ordinary working day. These sessions can be performed by family members or in specialist groups where a number of people with dementia can receive the treatment at once. There are also other forms of training that include learning basic facts such as their date of birth, and other therapies that involve engaging in activities such as singing, cooking or simply talking.
What Can You Do For a Loved One with Dementia?
If your relative has dementia, you may consider finding a care home that specializes in mental health for older people, as they will have well-equipped facilities and professionals to treat your loved one to the best of their abilities. At bristolcarehome.co.uk, they help those with dementia in a way that suits both the person with dementia and their family, through both residential and respite care.
You can also, of course, care for your loved one at home by becoming their carer in ways such as helping them to communicate with the outside world and finding ways to communicate with them. You should not persist in asking them to repeat information which they are unsure about and should find alternative ways to carry on a conversation with them. You should also help them with daily tasks which they may struggle with or find difficult, such as cooking and cleaning, and help to remind them of tasks that they may forget about, such as washing, drinking, and practicing general personal hygiene.