Dementia Care

‘Dementia’ is a dreadful word for any aging adult. Around 7.1% or about 402,000 Canadian elderly people suffer from dementia. Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term for the symptoms that appear with the gradual decline of mental health in patients. About 76,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. There is an annual increase of 1.43% of dementia cases among Canadian seniors. Currently, it costs Canadian taxpayers about 8.3 billion (including payments to professional dementia caregivers) annually to take care of these patients. 

For some reason or the other, females are more affected than men from dementia. On an average 11 out of 1,000 women over the age of 65 get diagnosed with dementia paling the ratio of just 6 out of 1,000 for men. Around 1.1 million Canadians are directly or indirectly affected by dementia. You may get dementia due to hereditary reasons, but the following tips would help you to reduce your risk of dementia.

Consume Balanced Diets

There are a lot of nutrients which, if consumed, may aid to prevent dementia. Nutrients like – vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin E, omega-3s and zinc show positive signs in dealing with symptoms of dementia. You should consult your physician or a professional dementia caregiver to prepare a balanced diet chart for you.

Exercise

You need to commit to a regular exercise regimen. Your physical health has an effect on your mental health and vice-versa. Regular exercises provide you with multiple benefits which negate the symptoms of dementia. The benefits of regular exercises such as improved mood, better sleep, improved digestion, improved strength, improved balance, improved memory, improved behavior, better communication, and social skills all counter the symptoms of dementia. If you feel bored while exercising alone, you may ask your dementia caregiver to either guide or team up with you. Company and guidance during exercise will increase your motivation.

Minimize Alcohol Consumption

Research shows that excessive alcohol consumption causes brain damage which may lead to dementia. Contrary to that, moderate consumption would reduce the chances of dementia. If it is hard to urge your impulses or manage your addiction, then seek help from your dementia caregiver or family members to keep liquors away from you. 

Reduce Stress

Stress over an extended period of time causes the release of chemicals that damage brain cells. By reducing stress, you will improve your brain health and thus decrease the probability of dementia. If you can’t negate stressful situations due to professional reasons, then find alternative ways to relax and get rid of the stress. Consider spending time with your family, listening to music or even watching stand up comedies; more or less anything which would take your mind of the stress and help you relax.

Meditate

It is amazing that the ancient practice of meditation can still help modern humans to counter something as serious as dementia. According to research, meditation protects you against dementia by improving memory and attention span even into the old stage. If you do not know already, then you may ask your dementia caregiver to teach you how to meditate. You will soon start reaping the benefits of meditation.

Limit Sugar Intake

Excessive sugar intake would increase the chances of dementia. Sugar facilitates the production of toxins in the body. The toxins cause inflammation and deposit of plaques in the brain resulting in negatively affecting your cognitive abilities. Consult your dementia caregiver on how to limit your sugar intake. Limiting sugar intake would also prevent other diseases like – tooth decay, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Sleep Better

Scientists believe that poor sleeping patterns, and dementia may feed off each other. This implies that poor sleeping pattern causes dementia and even dementia may facilitate poor sleep patterns. Refrain from using electronic gadgets like TV, laptop or cellphones while trying to sleep. 

Learn Multiple Languages

Studies show that learning multiple languages delay the start of dementia. So, if you wish to learn other languages, you should just go for it. Apart from becoming multilingual, you will also be doing a favor to your brain health. You may learn new languages at free of cost, at your convenience by using apps like YouTube, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Hello Talk, etc.

Stay Sharp with Brain Games

Sometimes we tend to overlook that the brain is a muscle too. With aging, it is more or less ‘use it or lose it.’ Brain games let would involve your concentration and memory without the usual stress associated with these actions. Your focus and memory would improve automatically without you consciously making any extra effort. Not only it will stop further deterioration of your mental capacity but would gradually increase it.

Dementia can affect people from all walks of life. American President Ronald Reagan, genius scientist Michael Faraday, boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, celebrated actors – Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, and Rita Hayworth are some of the famous people who have struggled with dementia. If ignored, dementia can even progress to Alzheimer’s. According to the world health organization (WHO), about 47.5 million people suffer from dementia worldwide. You must try to remain active both physically and mentally to prevent deterioration of your condition.

In case you are already suffering from dementia then get in touch with us for a FREE In-Home No Obligation Consultation. We have professional dementia caregivers to take care of you!

My parents ran their own Company for 40 years and now can’t remember to do things they’ve done everyday on their own for 60 years. When is the right time to call in help?

Looking after someone with Alzheimer’s is a tough task, one that can give dementia caregivers an enormous amount of stress. However, if you recognize someone with Dementia, you know that the position brings joy into your life and is extremely rewarding if you detect it in the initial stages. You can take better health precautions and check your progress. If the condition remains unchanged, you can consult your doctor on time before it is too late.

When it comes to our parents, we are usually more sensible and proactive. But, it takes a lot of patience and flexibility for the dementia caregivers to get rid of all the frustration specially when it comes to understanding that your loved ones are suffering from this life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, there are some helpful ways to approach this difficult subject.

Learn more with us about ways to look after your parents with Dementia. This will help you decide if you require dementia caregivers to ease the process of caretaking.

Initial Signs and Symptoms

If you detect signs in your parents at the early stages or witness memory problems in them, don’t immediately conclude that it is Dementia. A person needs to have minimum two types of the following impairments that significantly hinder everyday activities to receive a Dementia diagnosis.

A shift in short-term memory: The trouble with memory is an early sign of Dementia. The changes are often subtle and involve short-term memory. An older adult will remember events that took place years ago but will forget what they had for breakfast. In this case, a lot patience is expected from dementia caregivers towards their patients to avoid any conflicts with them.

Other red flags of a switch in short-term memory include forgetting simple things like where they left an item, struggling to remember their purpose of entering a particular room, or forgetting what they are supposed to do on any given day.

Difficulty in conversing effectively: Another symptom of Dementia is struggling to express thoughts. A person with Dementia has difficulty in explaining something or finding the right person to talk. Conversing with a person who has Dementia is difficult, and that is why it is tough to conclude that they are suffering from this disorder.

Mood swings: A dip in the mood is ubiquitous in Dementia. It is tough to recognize this in yourself but more natural to notice this change in someone else. Depression, for instance, a typical sign of early Dementia, can be noticed easily in someone else. Dementia caregivers generally face this symptom more often as they are a new face in the patient’s life.

Along with mood changes, you will also see a shift in personality. A major personality change witnesses a person change from being too shy to surprisingly outgoing.

Loss of interest in daily activities: Apathy, or restlessness, commonly occurs in early dementia. A person with this symptom loses interest in hobbies or activities. They may not want to go outdoors or do anything which used to excite them before. They lose interest in spending time with loved ones and are emotionally flat or distant.

Failure in understanding directions: The sense of direction and spatial orientation starts to deteriorate with the onset of Dementia. This means not recognizing once-familiar landmarks and remembering regularly used directions. It also becomes increasingly difficult to follow a series of guidelines and step-by-step instructions.

Always in a state of confusion: Someone in the early ages of Dementia may often stay confused. When memory, thoughts, or judgment lapses, confusion arises. They no longer remember faces, find the right words, or interact with people effectively.

Difficulty in adapting to changes: In the early stages of experiencing Dementia, it causes fear in the patient. Suddenly, they cannot remember somebody they know or follow what others are saying. They also fail to recognize why they went to the local grocery store and tend to lose their way back home. Due to this, they crave to follow a routine and are afraid to try new experiences. They prefer to stay in their state of isolation and avoid any kind of human contact possible.

Being repetitive: Repetition is typical in Dementia because of memory loss and common behavioral changes. The person tends to repeat daily tasks, such as shaving, or collecting items excessively. They also tend to repeat the same questions in a conversation after the responses are given already.

Difficulty following what someone says: Patients who have Dementia find it difficult to concentrate or follow storylines. Just as finding and using the right words become tough, people with Dementia sometimes forget the meanings of words they hear. They even struggle to follow along with conversations or keeping up with TV programs.

Amnesia and memory problems don’t automatically indicate Dementia. They are common factors of aging and can also occur due to other reasons, such as fatigue or stress. Still, you should not ignore the symptoms. If you find these signs in your loved ones and don’t see any improvements, talk to a doctor.

The doctor directs you to a neurologist who examines the patient’s physical and mental health and determines whether the symptoms result from Dementia or another cognitive problem. The doctor usually advises:

• A complete series of memory and psychological examinations 
• A neurological test
• Blood tests
• Brain imaging tests

As dementia caregivers, it can be challenging to find enough time for your senior loved one, let alone yourself – even if your family member is in residential care.

Although it can be hard, especially as the disease progresses — to help look after your parents with Dementia, there are things you can do to help erase the frustration and increase your patience while caring for them.

Harmony Caregiving is here to support you and your loved one who has Dementia. To define your health and wellness goals, reach out to us at our Edmonton Dementia Care Service.

The discussion of the word “dementia” leaves many people with a plummeting feeling in both the stomach and the heart.

It starts slowly, almost subtly. The misplaced keys are losing the forgotten way back home. The forgotten birthday or anniversary. Using the wrong word or losing track in mid-conversation. These are often disregarded as usual signs of aging, but in some people, they may be the earliest signs that something massive is approaching – the beginning of dementia. When a doctor diagnoses dementia or Alzheimer’s in your loved one, you should be sure to ask a lot of questions to make sure you understand your loved one’s plight. The understanding will appropriately prepare you for how this progressive disease could change over time.

Unfortunately, multiple forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s are becoming rapidly common. More than 50 million people all over the world have dementia, and 10 million new cases are reported annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, here’s what you need to know as a caregiver of dementia.

Understand Dementia

Generally, most people think of Alzheimer’s disease when they first hear the word ‘dementia.’ However, dementia is, in fact, an umbrella name for the syndrome through which cognitive function and the ability to perform daily duties undergo a massive deterioration. A leading cause of disability and dependency among seniors, dementia impacts families physically, mentally, socially, and economically.

If your loved one has recently received a diagnosis of dementia, it is essential to educate yourself about the disease to become an able caregiver of dementia. Keep yourself well-read and informed about the general symptoms of dementia you may encounter in your loved ones and how to cope with them. Dementia may begin slowly and eventually transform to include even more symptoms, which require constant care and attention. Additionally, there are many underlying causes of dementia, ranging from chronic alcoholism and stroke to thyroid problems and drug interactions. Your elderly loved one’s physician should discuss with you the nuances of your parent’s diagnosis, along with any other immediate information that’s relevant to his care plan.

Look After a Loved One with Dementia

As a caregiver of dementia, it can be challenging to look after your loved one. But there are a few effective practices that can help a caregiver of dementia the ability to manage this responsibility. Most dementia patients will improve with a routine. Do your best to try to create a daily schedule of activities and stick to it. This prevents your loved one from becoming bored, agitated, or frustrated. For the sake of your loved one and as their sole caregiver of dementia, try to follow the schedule consistently.

While your loved one may seem all right now, memory aids are a vital part of managing the disease. As the disease advances, he may have increased trouble recalling minute details. Cues – such as putting a photographed copy of cups and saucers in their designated cabins, are an effective way to remind the elderly with dementia of valuable information.

A caregiver of dementia encounters many struggles while helping his loved one with dementia, many of them being the management of challenging behaviors. Arguing with a loved one with dementia will not yield the best results. Rather than trying to reason with your loved one, accept a more flexible approach and opt for creative solutions when problems arise. Unfortunately, if you get agitated or upset, your loved one may likely pick up on these feelings and replicate them. It is wise to stay calm, practice deep breathing, and wait for these emotions to subside before continuing to deal with the problematic behavior.

Take Care of Yourself

Between work and family demands, it is easy for a caregiver of dementia to get lost in the shuffle. Rather than ignoring your own needs and risking health in the long run, act wisely to maintain your well-being. In addition to restful and restorative activities such as running, yoga, and meditation, regular exercise should also be an essential part of your efforts to remain healthy and sane. Other ways to take care of yourself also includes prioritizing your social circle, such as spending time with friends or attending a caregiver support group to understand the disease better.

Educate Yourself

A dementia diagnosis not only changes the life of the patient but also for the members of his family. While it may not be possible to adequately prepare yourself for all aspects of caring for your loved one, understanding the disease and adjusting your expectations will be a valuable coping mechanism.

What Must My Next Steps Be?

You need to consider the future of your loved one’s living situation. Depending on how advanced the disease is, you should consider whether it is time to move them to assisted living, a dementia caregiving facility, or another facility. It would ensure that they are receiving professional care as the disease progresses. This can be a difficult decision that requires a lot of work, so you should start to investigate as soon as possible with your options and if required, try to find the right place for your loved one.

Looking Down the Road as a Caregiver

If your loved one is suffering the symptoms of dementia, contact their physician for an immediate assessment. Consult with our dementia home care specialist to learn how Harmony Caregiving can help you cope with the challenge.

We can explain how to look after your loved one with dementia and provide you with the necessary information required for you to make the best decision for the patient(s). We will teach you about the stages of dementia and provide you with useful yet straightforward dementia caregiver tips. Contact us today and let us chalk out a plan of action to give the best comfort to your loved one.

Aging in itself is confusing for seniors. Going through rapid changes in the body and the way people respond to those changes in their loved ones has the client with dementia unsure of what they can and cannot do. Dementia adds to the chaos that crumbles the lives of many senior citizens. Dementia affects the mind the most. Though the cognitive abilities might still be working fine, the ability to recognize names, faces, words or familiar settings start getting damaged from the first stage of dementia. Think about it. Remember the times when you bet you knew a certain word or the name of an actor but couldn’t find it in your memory? How frustrating was that? In the case of dementia, this is an everyday thing with almost every memory. The worst part, it’s not the actors they are not recognizing it’s the people that they have grown old around and places they have been heir whole life. This increasing confusion and inability to remember things can agitate anyone. In those moments of agitation, an elder with dementia needs your support, reassurance, and redirection so they can calm down.

What Triggers the Agitation and How to Calm Down the Patient?

Sudden confusing states can cause agitation for the patients of dementia. Even when told about the place they have been brought to, the senior might not understand or forget about it in minutes and get inquisitive again. Not getting satisfactory answers makes them more agitated. What triggers the agitation differs from person to person. For some, it’s a sudden change in the surroundings or meeting new people. Sometimes it’s the change in daily routines or improper medication, dehydration, or any kind of physical discomfort. This agitation can also be caused by the sudden confrontation with too many people. The inability to recognize faces and remember names causes confusion and leads to agitation.

Tips to Calm Down the Senior

Proper care of a senior with dementia requires monitoring their daily activities and planning their day accordingly. This enables you to prevent any trigger situations and take the senior through the day without any episodes of agitation.

• Create a calm environment: Facing loud conversations and a crowd of people triggers confusion and agitation. To prevent this, the surroundings around a senior with dementia should be calm and comfortable.
• Monitor daily activities and caregiving: Proper care should be taken of the senior’s everyday routine. Every day the senior must be given their medications on time. Make sure the caregiving staff is taking care of the feeding times and enough water is being drunk by the senior to keep them hydrated and calm. Adequate sleep is a must for a person suffering from dementia, so make sure you keep the environment calm enough for the person to sleep peacefully.
• Prevent surprising events and change in routine and surroundings: Try keeping the everyday routine of the senior as similar as possible. Try avoiding sudden relocation of the patient to new places or surroundings. If the symptoms of dementia are increasing rapidly, it might be time to hire a dementia caregiving This must be done in the early stages so that the senior has time to get familiar with their caregiving assistant.

Dementia alters the behavior of the seniors suffering from it. Loved ones often get confused by the onset of a gradually increasing dementia. If you’re unable to provide proper care for your elder loved one, contact us at Harmony Caregiving for dementia caregiving services and we’ll help your loved one cope with life much easier.