How to Take Care of a Dementia Patient

The Red Indians believed that our lives are ruled by time, and time in turn is ruled by the planets. When we find ourselves in a situation where we know our loved one will not recover from a medical condition, despite all the advances of modern science, the thought that life is short sinks in deeper. Most caregivers are combated with strong and conflicting emotions; while they want the suffering to end.

Some health related issues are common among elderly people. For instance, dementia is a one of the most common risks of old age. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, United Kingdom, two thirds of the people who suffer from dementia are women and 60,000 deaths every year are directly linked to dementia. In the UK, almost 80% of the people living in care homes have some forms of dementia or other related memory problems.

Coping with Dementia

Most caretakers avoid talking about death, and consciously avoid words like illness or dying. In fact, talking about the future will ensure that you make the most of the present.

In the movie “Friends with Benefits”, Justin Timberlake’s (Dylan) father, played by Richard Jenkins, was portrayed to suffer from acute dementia. Dylan’s feelings of desperation and embarrassment are evident, especially when in public.

The movie shows that most caretakers have trouble coming to terms with the diagnosis and behaviour, and you really must put yourself in a patient’s world to understand how they look at it. If they feel like they would be better off in a nursing home in Crawley West Sussex, then let them go without judging their decision and putting fetters.

What You Can Do for Them

It is very important that people with dementia are treated with respect. They are going through a trauma of their own. Here are a few things you can do for them:

1. Make a picture collage for them.
2. Create a timeline to help them remember.
3. Make them watch videos and family recordings.
4. Talk to them regularly
5. Remember to be tolerant and flexible.
6. Make sure that they have the right food habits and consistently take their prescribed medications.
7. Book a session with a psychologists, they might need counselling session to be grounded
8. You need to ensure that they will be safe at home even without your supervision, to this ends, proof the house for accidents.
9. Although they need patience, never coddle them; treat them as you would treat an adult.

When you feel that their illness has progressed to a severe stage, where they might be a danger to themselves, ensure that they get all round care and consider moving them to a care facility like a dementia nursing home in Haywards Heath. It will be difficult for the family, but what the dementia patient requires should be given the highest propriety. You just need to make sure that you choose the right nursing home for them