The cognitive problems caused by dementia make it hard for people to engage in conversations sometimes. They may forget what they are saying part way through a conversation and find it difficult to engage. In some cases, they may zone out and lose concentration while you are talking to them, and lose memory of what was being said.
In the later stages, dementia can cause a big shift in a person’s personality and they may start making decisions that they normally would not make. This can lead to dangerous situations, which is why dementia care services are so important.
It’s a myth that cognitive decline is a normal part of aging, so if you notice any change in a loved one, you need to take it seriously.
Why Dementia Care Is Important
In the early stages of dementia, you may not think that home care is that important. But the symptoms will develop quickly and as the condition worsens, a dementia sufferer can be a danger to themselves.
They may forget to do simple self-care tasks like preparing meals or maintaining personal hygiene. If the people around them do not notice this change, it can have a big impact on that person’s physical health. The right dementia home care will ensure that doesn’t happen. Our Care Workers will help them to complete basic tasks that they may forget, like preparing meals and eating or keeping their house clean and tidy. These simple tasks will help to maintain a good quality of life for dementia sufferers.
A person with dementia will often put themselves in dangerous situations without realising. Memory issues may cause them to forget that they were in the middle of cooking, for example, which is a dangerous fire hazard. They might forget the rules of the road when driving and cause an accident. These are just some of the many examples of the dangerous situations that can be caused by dementia. As their condition worsens, it’s important that somebody is there to ensure their safety and Home Caring Newcastle can provide Care Workers to do that.
The emotional impact of dementia needs to be dealt with as well. It is common for people to forget who they are or who friends and family members are. This is distressing for both them and the people around them, and it can also be dangerous. If they don’t recognie a person in their home, they may think that they are an intruder, and that can lead to a violent situation.
Can You Care for Somebody with Dementia On Your Own?
After a diagnosis of dementia, you may decide that you want to care for them on your own. People feel that they have a duty of care for loved ones and they may not like the idea of a stranger looking after them. However, there are a lot of challenges that you may not be prepared for when caring for somebody with dementia.
Most people don’t understand the extent of dementia, especially in the later stages, and they don’t realise how difficult it can be to keep that person safe. Dementia is unpredictable and it does not wait until a convenient time before displaying its symptoms. Sufferers can have an attack at any time, so dementia care often requires round the clock support. You need to ask yourself whether you can really commit to that.
Your relationship with your loved one will change a lot as their dementia gets worse, and it can take a big emotional toll on you. This is unavoidable, but acting as a carer will make things a lot harder for you both. You may find that you don’t always see them as a parent or a sibling, you see them as a patient. Even people with the best intentions can become frustrated with dementia sufferers from time to time, and that is not a position you want to find yourself in with a loved one.
Caring for dementia people requires a lot of experience and knowledge that you may not have, but Home Caring Newcastle can provide Care Workers that do.
The Benefits of Dementia Care Services
Our dementia care services can provide all of the care that a person needs to stay safe. Dementia cannot be cured, but with the right support systems in place, the progression can be slowed and the impact reduced. This will improve the quality of life for a person living with dementia and make things easier for their loved ones as well.
Research suggests that social interaction and cognitive activities are very important when trying to slow the progression of dementia. A Care Worker will help somebody with the condition have an active social life and be a part of their local community as long as they are able. Simple things like driving them to social events or helping them to visit family members make a big difference. Interacting with them in the home on a regular basis can help to improve their condition as well.
A trained Care Worker can also encourage a patient to perform memory tasks designed to improve their cognitive abilities. This makes it easier for that person to cope with their condition and it can slow the progression of the disease as well.
As well as trying to slow the progression of the disease, in home dementia care will keep a person safe. Making some changes around the home is a big part of that. For example, they may need modified flooring or handrails to reduce the chance of slips and falls. Low profile beds also improve safety when a dementia carer is not close by.
Our dementia care experts will assess each individual person and their situation. They will help the family to decide whether their loved one can live safely in their home and what kind of care they need to help them do that.
What About Residential Dementia Care?
People often assume that somebody with dementia care will be safer and better cared for if they move into a residential care facility where they will get round the clock care from a team of carers. But it is not quite that simple because there is a lot of research to suggest that the impact of the condition is lessened when people remain in a familiar environment. Dementia home care allows somebody to get the care that they need while remaining in their own home.
Moving to a place that they don’t know causes a lot of stress for a person with dementia as they are often confused about the situation. It will cause unnecessary anxiety and the transition will be difficult for them and the family.
It is better for their condition if they stay in their own home environment and Home Caring Newcastle allows them to do that safely.
Dementia Respite Care
It may be the case that you have already taken on the responsibilities of a dementia home carer for a loved one. Family members often take on the role of a carer in during the early stages of dementia because they are not prepared for the rapid progression. At this stage, caring for a person with dementia may be manageable, but as the disease progresses, you will find that it puts a lot of stress on you and your family. Your personal and professional life will suffer and it will put a lot of strain on your relationship with the person that you are caring for. If you find yourself in this situation, our dementia respite care can help you.
Dementia respite care is a form of home care that gives you a break when you need it. You can still be actively involved with their care but if you need more time to dedicate to work and family responsibilities, or you want to take a week to go away on holiday with your family, a professional Care Worker can take over from you. Often, families find that dementia respite care works during the early stages of the disease but as it progresses, they are in need of full time home dementia care.
Is Dementia Care Available In Your Location?
If you believe that a loved one is in need of care, you have access to it in every state across the country. There are lots of good dementia care services in Newcastle and the surrounding areas so, don’t hesitate to contact us and discuss your needs. It’s the best choice for the whole family and it will massively improve the quality of life of your loved one.
There may be no cure for dementia, but the right dementia care services can help to slow the progression of the disease and improve the time that you have together. It will also ensure that a dementia sufferer is safe in their own home and they enjoy the best possible quality of life.
