The effects of dementia impact upon the lives of the affected person, his/her family and/or caregivers.
The rate of the changes of dementia depends on the general health of the affected person and the type of dementia.
In general, the features worsen gradually.
While the diagnosis of dementia may come as a shock, it is important to remember that advice and support are available to enable the affected person to live as independently as possible, for as long as is possible, and to continue to enjoy their daily activities.
With the passage of time, the affected person will need assistance at home and some may even need nursing care.
Affected person
There is much that an affected person can do to help himself/herself.
A healthy lifestyle is needed by everyone, including those affected by dementia, and is the best way to prevent dementia.
This means regular exercise and a healthy diet. Diet may pose challenges for those affected by dementia, especially when there are changes in eating habits that may lead to poor nutritional status and weight loss.
Feeling alone is common in the demented. As such, it is essential to be in constant contact with others as it helps in being stimulated and active.
The continuing participation in one's interests and hobbies may help in keeping the affected person stimulated and alert to facilitate an interest in life.
However, activities may have to change when the illness worsens.
It is necessary for the affected person to inform family members and/or carers early that they are needed and how they can be of assistance.
Joining a group of people with the same diagnosis and their families/carers can lead to the sharing of experiences and practical life managing tips, which may be helpful.
Many persons with dementia do not eat enough or eat unhealthy, which increases their likelihood of illness.
There are benefits from self care, which includes longer life; better quality of life; more activity and independence; and less pain, anxiety and depression. This has to be promoted and encouraged in those whom a diagnosis of dementia is made.
Memory loss is often a problem in dementia. The practical tips include keeping a diary; writing down things that need to be remembered; keeping keys and other daily essentials in an obvious place; labeling necessary household items; placing essential telephone numbers beside the telephone; programming necessary numbers into the telephone; having or reading a daily newspaper to remember the date and day; and having a pill organizer or reminders to remember which medicine(s) to take and when.
Sleep and mood swings are common in dementia. The former may occur by itself or as a consequence of other painful illnesses such as backache and arthritis.
To avoid sleep problems, sleeping pills should be prescribed sparingly for those with dementia and positive sleeping habits encouraged, such as no naps during the daytime, regular bedtimes and avoidance of caffeine or alcohol at night.
Mood swings have to be discussed with the doctor, family members and/or caregivers. The doctor may prescribe medicines if there is depression or anxiety.
Safety is a challenge for senior citizens, and more so for those with dementia. There are methods to minimize the risk of accidents at home or outside the home. They include the installation of safety devices; having low level beds; use of walking stick etc.
Matters of concern
There are many challenges in caring for a person with dementia.
As the dementia progresses, the affected person increasingly relies on a carer to do things for him/her. It is crucial that the carer always remember that the affected person needs to feel supported and reassured, with retention of some degree of independence that is commensurate with the degree of dementia.
While there are common features in dementia, each person's experience and coping with the condition is different.
The affected person is usually anxious and scared. They may be aware of their memory difficulties and increasing clumsiness, which leads to frustration and distress.
It is very important for the affected person to feel useful. They can be helped by a regular daily routine in which encouragement and sensitive support, without criticism, is necessary.
Involvement in daily tasks may improve a sense of self worth, such as cleaning up, shopping, etc. Memory aids may be useful to help in the remembering of where things are and what needs to be done. It is important that the affected person keeps up his/ her interests and hobbies.
A balance diet and regular exercise are the keys to a better quality of life. Many persons with dementia do not eat enough or eat unhealthy, which increases their like hood of illness.
The common food related problems include not recognizing foods; refusing to eat or spitting out food; asking for odd food combinations; and resistance to being fed.
Involvement of the affected person in feeding is vital. There has to be adequate duration at meal times so that problems can be addressed. The worse thing to happen is for the carer is to get stressed during meal times as it will probably lead to stress in the affected person.
Eating patterns and habits that change with time have to be accommodated.
Suspected health and dental problems have to be referred to the doctor and/or dentist respectively.
Smoking and alcohol have to be avoided, or if that is not possible, reduced.
As the condition progresses, the ability of the affected person to manage daily tasks may become more difficult, thus necessitating more support from the carer.
A common problem in dementia is incontinence of urine and/or faeces. The cause include urinary tract infection; constipation; medicines and memory lapses.
It is important to remember that the affected person is not at fault.
Various measures to address this include sign(s) on the toilet door, which should be kept open for easy access; observation for signs of the need to go to the toilet, such as standing up and sitting down; assistance in removal or their clothes; and use of incontinence pads.
Dr. Milton Lum
the Star/ ANN
The rate of the changes of dementia depends on the general health of the affected person and the type of dementia.
In general, the features worsen gradually.
While the diagnosis of dementia may come as a shock, it is important to remember that advice and support are available to enable the affected person to live as independently as possible, for as long as is possible, and to continue to enjoy their daily activities.
With the passage of time, the affected person will need assistance at home and some may even need nursing care.
Affected person
There is much that an affected person can do to help himself/herself.
A healthy lifestyle is needed by everyone, including those affected by dementia, and is the best way to prevent dementia.
This means regular exercise and a healthy diet. Diet may pose challenges for those affected by dementia, especially when there are changes in eating habits that may lead to poor nutritional status and weight loss.
Feeling alone is common in the demented. As such, it is essential to be in constant contact with others as it helps in being stimulated and active.
The continuing participation in one's interests and hobbies may help in keeping the affected person stimulated and alert to facilitate an interest in life.
However, activities may have to change when the illness worsens.
It is necessary for the affected person to inform family members and/or carers early that they are needed and how they can be of assistance.
Joining a group of people with the same diagnosis and their families/carers can lead to the sharing of experiences and practical life managing tips, which may be helpful.
Many persons with dementia do not eat enough or eat unhealthy, which increases their likelihood of illness.
There are benefits from self care, which includes longer life; better quality of life; more activity and independence; and less pain, anxiety and depression. This has to be promoted and encouraged in those whom a diagnosis of dementia is made.
Memory loss is often a problem in dementia. The practical tips include keeping a diary; writing down things that need to be remembered; keeping keys and other daily essentials in an obvious place; labeling necessary household items; placing essential telephone numbers beside the telephone; programming necessary numbers into the telephone; having or reading a daily newspaper to remember the date and day; and having a pill organizer or reminders to remember which medicine(s) to take and when.
Sleep and mood swings are common in dementia. The former may occur by itself or as a consequence of other painful illnesses such as backache and arthritis.
To avoid sleep problems, sleeping pills should be prescribed sparingly for those with dementia and positive sleeping habits encouraged, such as no naps during the daytime, regular bedtimes and avoidance of caffeine or alcohol at night.
Mood swings have to be discussed with the doctor, family members and/or caregivers. The doctor may prescribe medicines if there is depression or anxiety.
Safety is a challenge for senior citizens, and more so for those with dementia. There are methods to minimize the risk of accidents at home or outside the home. They include the installation of safety devices; having low level beds; use of walking stick etc.
Matters of concern
There are many challenges in caring for a person with dementia.
As the dementia progresses, the affected person increasingly relies on a carer to do things for him/her. It is crucial that the carer always remember that the affected person needs to feel supported and reassured, with retention of some degree of independence that is commensurate with the degree of dementia.
While there are common features in dementia, each person's experience and coping with the condition is different.
The affected person is usually anxious and scared. They may be aware of their memory difficulties and increasing clumsiness, which leads to frustration and distress.
It is very important for the affected person to feel useful. They can be helped by a regular daily routine in which encouragement and sensitive support, without criticism, is necessary.
Involvement in daily tasks may improve a sense of self worth, such as cleaning up, shopping, etc. Memory aids may be useful to help in the remembering of where things are and what needs to be done. It is important that the affected person keeps up his/ her interests and hobbies.
A balance diet and regular exercise are the keys to a better quality of life. Many persons with dementia do not eat enough or eat unhealthy, which increases their like hood of illness.
The common food related problems include not recognizing foods; refusing to eat or spitting out food; asking for odd food combinations; and resistance to being fed.
Involvement of the affected person in feeding is vital. There has to be adequate duration at meal times so that problems can be addressed. The worse thing to happen is for the carer is to get stressed during meal times as it will probably lead to stress in the affected person.
Eating patterns and habits that change with time have to be accommodated.
Suspected health and dental problems have to be referred to the doctor and/or dentist respectively.
Smoking and alcohol have to be avoided, or if that is not possible, reduced.
As the condition progresses, the ability of the affected person to manage daily tasks may become more difficult, thus necessitating more support from the carer.
A common problem in dementia is incontinence of urine and/or faeces. The cause include urinary tract infection; constipation; medicines and memory lapses.
It is important to remember that the affected person is not at fault.
Various measures to address this include sign(s) on the toilet door, which should be kept open for easy access; observation for signs of the need to go to the toilet, such as standing up and sitting down; assistance in removal or their clothes; and use of incontinence pads.
Dr. Milton Lum
the Star/ ANN
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