Dementia mainly affects the brain and causes an individual to lose the ability to perform normal, daily tasks. Eventually, all areas of everyday life are affected by the progress of the disease. As dementia progresses, the person suffering from dementia loses the ability to learn new information, make plans and decisions. Communication will be difficult and they cannot perform simple tasks nor cope up with the environment they are in.
At the onset, the individual may be aware of some changes in memory and will rely on others for reminders. As dementia progresses, the person may get lost often and will be unable to manage daily life. The advanced stages of the disease cause the inability to function and needs the assistance of others for tasks to be accomplished. Bathing, eating, dressing up, and even going to the bathroom would be a gargantuan task for them. Dementia also causes an individual to get anxious, agitated, or resist care, which signifies the person’s emotional condition.
How Dementia Affects Family and Non-Paid Caregivers
A recent study revealed that 70% of dementia sufferers live in communities and that family caregivers are responsible for assisting them at home. This takes a toll on family caregivers since it is a 24/7 task to make sure that the elderly is safe and well. The family caregivers take care of housekeeping, helping with everyday activities; ensuring that they eat well; and generally overseeing their health care. Providing constant and complicated care to a dementia sufferer is a heavy burden on family members over some time. A 2009 study of family and unpaid caregivers showed that their health is likely to be poor or may deteriorate over time.
When such a situation happens, families do not have any other recourse other than to seek help from professional caregivers. Some would even place the elderly in a care facility so better supervision and monitoring can be made. Professional caregivers are trained and equipped with the necessary skills that allow them to handle dementia sufferers. They are given the proper guidance and counseling on their well-being as well, to prevent any breakdowns as they care for patients.
Communication with the Family and Elderly
Caring for a senior with dementia needs a person-centered approach that is aligned with the senior’s needs. There must be good communication between the senior, the family, and the caregiver. Cultural differences and disabilities should be considered and is a big deal in some circumstances. Effective caregivers must understand the communication challenges of a dementia patient. They must consider how and when information should be given to the patient’s family and other people who care for the elderly, like doctors.
Helpful Communication Techniques
Caregivers can get some insights on these communication tips:
Use visual aids and demonstrate what is needed when appropriate.
Be sure to make information easy to understand for the elderly and the family.
Lessen the medical jargon and explain simply medical terms and procedures.
Consider the family’s level of health literacy
Use printed materials, if any. for any information that they can read
After the explanation, check if the elderly or the family understood what was discussed and repeat if necessary.
Ask for regular care meetings to inform the family of the progress of the elderly.
The behavior of an Elderly with Dementia
People with dementia all experience behavioral problems. Sufferers have a hard time concentrating and are irritable. Some have depression and anxiety. At a later stage, other symptoms happen like sleep disturbance, paranoia, delusions, and emotional distress, which are hard on the caregivers. These behaviors may result from their inability to communicate what they feel or want.
Professional caregivers are trained to determine the causes or “triggers” of the person’s behavioral symptoms. Triggers include frustration in hearing or seeing, thirst or hunger, pain; lack of social interaction or even poor care. When a trigger is identified, every means and effort should be made to change the situation or environment to lessen the behavior. When a caregiver cannot identify the trigger, the elderly can be distracted by changing the task or the environment. With the right assessment and treatment by the health care team, such behavioral problems can be lessened and stabilized.
Here are some helpful tips to insure success in changing behavior:
Identify symptoms, triggers, and frequency of the behavior.
Use a good assessment to understand the causes.
Seek assistance for the medical issues or have the elderly checked by a doctor.
Change the care environment, like taking the elderly for a walk at the park; a ride along the city streets; a visit to his or her children’s home.
Monitor symptoms and making changes when needed.
Safety for a Dementia Patient
The changes in the elderly’s brain and body can greatly affect safety. Below are some tips on how to ensure the safety of the elderly with dementia:
A caregiver must see to it that the elderly does not have access to unsafe objects like power tools, stove tops, scissor or guns. Hide these from the patient and secure in a locked place.
Do not expose the elderly to cleaning supplies, toxic items, or medications.
Be sure to unplug electrical appliances when not in use
Cover or disguise doorknobs on exit doors to prevent the elderly from going out and wandering.
Install motion sensors at doors to trigger an alarm for the family or caregiver.
Check the facility or home for fire alarms and if there are working fire extinguishers.
Educate family members about the fire hazards and what to do.
Be sure to check the bathroom, kitchen, or any part of the home for any object that can cause harm to the elderly.
Caregiver Self-Care
As a professional caregiver, you should make time to do self-care. You cannot be effective if you are burnt out and have issues as well. Here are some tips in this regard:
Get enough sleep and rest.
Seek help from your care health agency or your team for support.
Communicate regularly with your supervisor.
The physical and emotional impact of providing care can take its toll. Talk with someone you trust or write your thoughts down.
Recognize your successes in assisting patients and their families. This is a good morale boost for you.
Honor your grief if the patient gets worst or dies.
Allow yourself to go on a vacation and relax.
Participate in activities that you enjoy like exercise, dancing, jogging, camping, swimming.
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