When someone in the family is diagnosed with Dementia then the entire family gets affected. The environment turns out to be difficult to deal with as it is very problematic and hollow to take care of the person who is struggling with the symptoms of dementia. Unfortunately, this disease does not have any cure and the only way look after your loved one is to provide proper care, concern, and companionship.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a disease which generally affects an older person (age 60+), the symptoms include inability to focus or concentrate, loss of memory, reasoning, thinking, depression, and unable to interact with people. Generally, there are 7 stages of Dementia:
Stage 1: No impairment – No symptoms.
Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline - Slight changes in behaviour.
Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline - Changes in thinking and reasoning.
Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline – Difficulty in making plans and remembering recent events, traveling, and handling money.
Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline – May not remember their address, contact number, names, time, day, date.
Stage 6: Severe decline – Will forget the name of their children, spouse, and immediate family; will need help in going to the restroom, eating and also develop changes in their personality and emotions.
Stage 7: Very severe decline – Cannot express their emotions, loss of cognitive speech, and will be confined to their bed for the most part.
Ways to look after a Dementia patient:
Create a positive mood for communication: Do not rush. Steadily build their mood and then start a happy, cheerful, and positive conversation.
Listen to them with patience and calmness: When they start, they might not be able to stop talking, hence you need to have patience whilst listening and interacting with them.
Ask about their liking, preferences, and choices: Take interest by asking about their favourite serials, TV programmes, current affairs, and so on.
Make them realize that they are valued: Just listening to them is not enough, you need to also respond and make them feel valued and important.
Make them smile, remind them of the good old days: Try to make them laugh by reminding them of their favourite moments, events, and days.
