Dementia Care: Providing Solace and Dignity for Your Loved Ones

| Tuesday, August 7, 2012
By Charlie Ricker


One have the most debilitating and stressful diseases in nature's vast canon, dementia is a progressive disease that (as anyone who has watched a loved one suffer through it) is heartbreaking and unfortunately untreatable. Sufferers can however be cared for and their lives made more comfortable as a result and dedicated dementia care specialists will be trained to help their patients live a more fulfilling life. Dementia can be caused by numerous factors with the most common being through injury of illness; it affects around 1.25% of the population (most of whom are over 65) and as such is something we will all probably have to deal with either directly or indirectly in our lifetimes.

The numerous forms of dementia are rather difficult to explain or quantify in layman's terms, but there are universal symptoms. Memory loss is a key symptom and perhaps the cruelest blow dealt by the disease. Loved ones and friends might also notice severe or subtle personality changes as well as impaired reasoning and physical skills which will make it difficult for sufferers to carry out day-to-day tasks in the later stages of the illness. When it gets to this stage many choose to either move to a home where they can be properly looked after or to employ a live in carer to help with their dementia care.

Residential care might be beneficial for some sufferers, but most will prefer the option of live-in care. Live-in dementia care will allow a sufferer to live in their own home and receive the kind of one on one care that they wouldn't be able to logistically receive at a care home. Carers will be trained to make their patients lives as enjoyable as possible by offering a variety of services. More than anything though the fact that the patient won't need to move will be the most beneficial factor of live-in care as familiarity is of paramount concern to those in the later stages of the disease.

Routine is a vital element of dementia care. It may sound inconsequential but sticking to a well-structured routine is a proven way of keeping suffers stable. Unfamiliar practices and locations could really upset sufferers and sticking to a routine encourages them to avoid this, promoting an air or independence and reducing potential panic attacks. Personal care is also important in dementia care and carers will be able to help patients with facilities that become difficult as the disease progresses such as help with washing, bathing and using the toilet.

Perhaps the most important service dementia care offers is the emotional support that a carer can offer their patients. A live-in carer can offer emotional support to their patients and will offer engaging conversation and positive thoughts. All carers will be well trained in all the complexities of the illness and as such will know exactly how to handle their patients physically and emotionally whilst offering a level of dignity and independence that provide their families with invaluable comfort.




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