Understanding dementia: A guide for families of seniors

Dementia is a challenging issue associated with many myths and misconceptions, so today we present our guide created to provide help for the elderly living at home. We address the importance of appropriate home care for the elderly in their own homes and the challenges of memory loss and responding to specific behaviours associated with it such as aggression, paranoia or incontinence.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a specific disease, but a broad term used to describe a range of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality, behaviour, and mood. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Living with dementia – top troubling dementia behaviours and how to address them

Dementia can be a challenging and distressing condition for both the person with the disease and their family members. As the disease progresses, a person with dementia may display behaviours that are difficult to understand and manage. These can include wandering, paranoia, incontinence, sleeplessness, and eating problems. In this article, we will discuss some common dementia issues and provide some tips on how to handle them.

Wandering

Wandering is a common issue for people with dementia. It is important to understand that wandering is not intentional but is a symptom of the disease. Wandering can be dangerous, as the person with dementia may become lost or injured. To reduce the risk of wandering, it is essential to ensure that the person with dementia is safe and secure in their environment. These may include installing locks on doors and windows, providing a safe space for the person to wander in, and using GPS tracking devices to locate the person if they become lost.

Paranoia

Paranoia is a widespread behaviour among dementia patients. It is essential to understand that paranoia is not intentional but is a symptom of the disease. Paranoia can be distressing for family and dementia patients. To reduce the risk of paranoia ensure that the person with dementia feels safe and secure in their environment. Those may include providing reassurance and avoiding arguments and situations that may trigger paranoia.

Incontinence

Incontinence is an ordinary behaviour among people with dementia. It is vital to understand that incontinence is not intentional but is a symptom of the disease. Incontinence can be distressing for dementia patients and their family members. To manage incontinence it is crucial to ensure that the person with dementia has access to appropriate incontinence products, such as pads or briefs, and to establish a regular toileting schedule.

Sleeplessness

Sleeplessness is a widespread conduct among dementia patients. It is important to understand that sleeplessness is not intentional but is a symptom of the disease. Sleeplessness can be distressing for the person with dementia and their family members. To manage sleeplessness you should establish a regular bedtime routine and create a sleep-conducive environment. That may include reducing noise and light levels, providing a comfortable bed, and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime.

Eating problems

Eating problems are common among dementia patients. They may include a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and forgetting to eat. It is important to understand that eating problems are not intentional but are symptoms of the disease. To manage eating problems, it is important to ensure that the person with dementia has access to appropriate food and drink, such as soft foods and thickened liquids, and to establish a regular mealtime routine. It may also be helpful to provide finger foods or snacks throughout the day to encourage eating.

Aggression and agitation

Aggression and agitation are common behaviours among people with dementia. They may include verbal or physical outbursts, restlessness, and irritability. It is important to understand that aggression and agitation are not intentional but are symptoms of the disease. To manage aggression and agitation, it is important to identify triggers and to avoid or reduce them.

Dementia live-in elderly care – help for the elderly living at home

If your loved one suffers from any of the listed behaviours, which can reduce their quality of life and even endanger it, it is imperative that you consult your doctor and then consider high-quality live-in dementia elderly care options. Quality home care for the elderly in their own homes would ensure that your senior family members will live in safety, comfort and company.