Spending holidays with a family member who has dementia or Alzheimer's can be very challenging. We want our senior loved ones to enjoy every occasion, but you need to give special attention and plan your holidays wisely to accommodate someone who has dementia.
When people hear the word dementia,
they almost instantly think of Alzheimer's. However, there are
several different types of dementia. Knowing the difference means
knowing what to expect and getting the right treatment when
available. Here are the most common types of dementia apart from
Alzheimer's.
The illness course is unpredictable because the
location, number, and size of the brain injuries from one or more
strokes will determine whether dementia will result and how the
individual's thinking and physical function will be affected.
Fоr thе patients suffering frоm Pick's disease, thе temporal lobes оf thе brain get affected іn 25% оf thе cases, frontal lobes іn 25% оf thе cases аnd bоth frontal аnd temporal lobes іn 50% оf thе cases. Wіth thе passage оf time, thе patients mау appear tо bе having problems іn аlmоѕt аll areas оf mental function. Thеѕе patients often suffer frоm а sudden alteration іn personality, change іn normal behavior аnd thе nоn-ability tо perform efficiently.
Thе frontal lobe іѕ аn area оf thе brain іn mammals whісh govern thеіr оvеrаll behavior. It іѕ responsible fоr thе ability tо recognize аnd determine thе similarities аnd differences bеtwееn two things. A person suffering frоm frontal lobe dementia mау exhibit а sudden change іn personality аnd аn intransigent attitude.
It іѕ ѕоmеtіmеѕ confused wіth vascular dementia whісh іѕ а degenerative cerebrovascular disease thаt leads tо а progressive decline іn memory аnd cognitive functioning. Fоr proper treatment, іt іѕ necessary tо distinguish bеtwееn thе symptoms оf bоth thе diseases. Frontal lobe dementia саn affect bоth men аnd women аnd іt uѕuаllу begins bеtwееn 40 tо 65 years оf age. Nеаrlу 50% оf thе people suffering wіth thіѕ type оf dementia have а family history оf thе disease.
Diabetes - Diabetes mау trigger thе risk оf frontal lobe dementia аnd thе chances аrе еѕресіаllу high іf thе onset оf diabetes occurs іn middle age.
High Blood Pressure (hypertension) - Sоmеtіmеѕ, high blood pressure аlѕо causes disturbance іn thе mental balance, resulting іn symptoms оf frontal lobe dementia.
High cholesterol - Cholesterol іѕ present іn thе cell walls оr membranes еvеrуwhеrе іn thе body аnd іѕ used tо produce many hormones, vitamin D аnd bile acids. Increased levels оf cholesterol іn thе body contribute tо thе narrowing inside arteries, аnd blockages thаt cause thе symptoms оf heart diseases аnd frontal lobe dementia.
Smoking - Smoking, fоr аll reasons іѕ injurious tо health аnd іѕ а potential cause fоr lung cancer, throat cancer аnd frontal lobe dementia.
Following аrе thе symptoms generally seen іn people:
Dramatic increase оr decrease іn talking
Change іn personal habits like, carrying оut repeated actions thаt аrе inappropriate оr nоt relevant tо thе situation аt hand
Inappropriate social behavior, like doing sit-ups іn а public restroom, аnd complete lack оf concern towards personal appearance
Diminished creativity аѕ wеll аѕ problem solving skills
Reduced sexual interest
Loss оf language аnd ability tо perform complex tasks
Loss оf ethical аnd moral values bу frequently using obscene language іn public
Fоr thе diagnosis оf frontal lobe dementia, thеrе аrе various techniques available ѕuсh аѕ Electroencephalogram (EEG), brain scans аnd neuropsychological tests. Thеѕе tests аrе necessary tо confirm іf thе symptoms shown bу thе patient аrе correct оr оf ѕоmе оthеr disorder like vascular dementia аnd Alzheimer's disease. During thе course оf treatment, proper emotional support ѕhоuld bе provided tо thе patient tо increase thе chances оf recovery.
In this article, we will discuss how to deal with denial in aging seniors. Anyone involved with caring for senior citizens knows that the task can be daunting. It can become more complicated when seniors are in denial of their actions or what they are being told.
There comes a point in all of our lives that we realize we are getting older and our bodies are slowing down. This can be tough to accept, and many seniors don't want to accept that eventually, they re going to need the assistance of others in their daily lives. There's nothing wrong with denial, but it shouldn't become a permanent issue.
When it does, family members and friends need to find a way to help them accept reality.
Aging can change who we are and how we feel. Denial is common, because we have always faced many adversities in our lives, but have always been resilient and fought back. When we experience these life altering changes, we do not want to accept them at first. It only takes a debilitating illness or a life-threatening fall to completely change our lives.
As a caregiver, you need to understand that it is part of your responsibility on how to help them deal with denial. It's not only going to be depressing for them, but it can also put a strain on your life, too. It might require that you get them to gradually accept their situation, and this could require that you compromise and agree with them occasionally.
• Health Issues - Are they currently experiencing any other major health problems that they are worried about? It's possible that some seniors can have their minds on too many other health issues to be worried about denial. The best way on how to deal with denial for these situations is to have them see their doctor to make sure there are not other underlying health issues.
• Possible Dementia - They could be experiencing early symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other another degenerative mental illness. Discuss these episodes of denial with their physician, so they might be able to better monitor and diagnose them on their future visits.
• They Might Be Stubborn - They might be in total control of their mental surroundings. However, they might have the type of personality that they just want to be right about everything. Then again, double check to make sure that you are right and that it is just not a misconception on your part.
• Try Not to Be Bossy - One of the last things you want to do is try to be as bossy as a senior. Remember, there are many reasons why they could be acting the way they are, and until you get to the bottom of that reasoning, it's best to stay level headed. After all, your loved one is probably being told what to do most of the day if they cannot fully take care of themselves. If they are in a nursing home or assisted living facility, there are more rules and regulations that they need to follow, and it might be too much for them to handle.
• Agreeing on Their Timetable - Your loved one might need a little more time to come around to the idea that they are in denial. They might realize something is wrong, but it could be a problem of them losing more control over their life. It might be better for you to give them time to admit to it.
There is no simple answer on how to deal with denial in seniors. A lot depends on how each senior feels, and how good their caretaker is at convincing them. Make sure that your loved one is seeing a doctor regularly to make sure they are in good mental and physical health, too.
Geriatric psychiatry is a specialized sub-specialty of psychiatry concerned with understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illnesses among older adults.
Because the elderly population is growing as people get older, especially in developing nations, this specialty is becoming increasingly important. Numerous mental illnesses affect seniors, some of which can be life-threatening and result in severe impairment.
Geriatrics is the scientific classification for those over 50 years of age. This term differentiates different diseases that may affect senior citizens.
Seniors affected by such mental illnesses are usually referred to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
The goal of treating such individuals is to identify the symptoms, develop an appropriate treatment program, and help them live normal lives. The primary function of psychiatrists is to provide the best possible care to the patient to live a long and productive life.
Geriatric psychiatrists use several different methods to treat patients. These methods are psychotherapy and counseling, medications, social services, including counseling sessions and support groups. The ultimate goal of treating a patient is to achieve a healthy and satisfying social interaction and mental well-being.
Geriatric psychiatrists are also qualified to conduct clinical research. To do this, they must complete an advanced degree from an accredited university or college. They must pass a standardized examination and a board exam to be considered a certified geriatric psychiatrist.
Geriatric psychiatrists work with patients who have various mental illnesses. Some of these conditions include depression, anxiety disorders, dementia, alcohol or substance abuse, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder, and developmental delays. These patients often have problems with memory, learning, and concentration.
Psychotherapy treats mental illnesses because it has proven effective for many patients. Therapy helps the patient realize what they are experiencing and why they are having the symptoms. It also helps the patient understand his or her emotions, how they are related to their mental state, and to identify and work through negative thoughts and feelings.
Psychiatric health care providers play an important role in the long-term health of patients. They educate patients about the condition they are in and the best way to deal with this situation. Treating patients aims to help them live a healthy and fulfilling life by improving their mental health.
If you would like to know more about senior care and dementia care, contact a memory care expert at Applewood Our House today.
How you deal with legal matters for your senior loved one depends on his or her cognitive decline. If possible, get legal matters settled while the senior is still capable of making decisions. They need to make a will and decide who they want to have power of attorney for legal matters and power of attorney for personal care.
Giving someone power of attorney means that they have the legal responsibility to make decisions and sign papers on behalf of their client. The person who has power of attorney is a family member in many cases but can be another person.
If the senior can make a living will - called an advance directive - that will detail what they want to happen to them when and if they are no longer capable of making decisions. For instance, they may decide which nursing home they are to go into when that time comes. They can also decide where they want to be buried or cremated and by whom.
A power of attorney has a specified end date. A durable power of attorney is what you need to remain in effect after the senior becomes incapacitated. A medical power of attorney is the one to get for making health and medical decisions. If there is not one made beforehand, the staff and doctors at the hospital will make the decisions. If the senior cannot communicate, then what happens may not be what he or she wants.
A power of attorney must be drawn up while the person is still able to make rational decisions. The person named only makes the decisions after the senior has become incapacitated, not on signing the document. He must agree to be named in the document and may withdraw from the responsibility at any time.
The decision about whether or not a person is mentally incapacitated is taken after a medical examination and must be documented in the senior’s medical records. A specific examination prescribed by law must be used.
A living will is used specifically for a terminal illness. It will specify what treatment is desired and what is not desired. Since the senior may only contract a terminal illness after becoming incapacitated by age or other illness, it is wise to have both a living will and a durable power of attorney drawn up beforehand.
A CPR directive should also be drawn up, with copies attached to their medical record and the refrigerator or medicine cabinet. This is because emergency medical personnel, who may need to resuscitate the person in their home, are trained to look there for directions. The person may not want to be resuscitated after a heart attack, but if there is no directive to say so, then personnel must try to resuscitate.
There are many other ways in which to create a safe environment for seniors. Lighting is a must for seniors. Poor eyesight is generally a problem in later years. If the home is dark with not much natural light coming in or the artificial lighting is poor, it can contribute to discomfort or even falls.
Rooms crowded with many small furniture pieces are a health hazard, too, as seniors can trip over them. The elderly are often not as alert as a younger person and forgetful of where they moved things. So if they move a footrest and then forget about it, they are quite likely not to notice it and trip, which could result in a nasty injury.
Carpets need to be short. If seniors use a walker or wheelchair, it will not catch on the carpet.
.
Remove items in high cupboards and place them at a lower level. Having to climb on a stepladder is not a good idea for seniors. If they must climb on one, then provide one with a handhold. Better still; get someone else to do it.
Many seniors love their pets too, but cats have a habit of winding themselves around legs that can cause them to trip. Small dogs become excitable and jump around while bigger dogs can be a hazard if they jump or disobey the leash. So be sure that your elderly loved one can handle having a pet.
Outside is another area to check for safety. If the senior lives in a steep area, it will be more difficult for them to manage safely than a flat, level area. Steps should be sturdy with strong handrails. Better still, a ramp will give easier access. Paths should not be uneven or slippery. Stepping-stones or gravel are not the best choices for path materials.
If seniors like to roam around the garden, make sure the grass is kept low, and there are no rocks among them that could trip them up. Other things such as toys and rakes and hoses should be picked up and put away, so they don't trip over them. Gates and doors should be easy to lock and unlock, and windows should slide easily and not stick.
Once you create a safe environment, your loved one will live happily in independence for many years.
Unfortunately, it is often the case that the burden of care for a senior, falls to one member of the family. However, it is possible - and even necessary - that all members help so that one person does not become burnt out. Try and schedule a family meeting when care first becomes necessary so that all can see what needs to be done.
Encourage all to voice their concerns, make suggestions and give advice. Ask them to take responsibility for one area each; that way, the burden is shared and becomes much easier. Some can take care of the mowing and gardening, others can do the housework and/or cooking while another can be responsible for taking the senior to appointments.
Seniors should also have something to say about who will do what if possible. In some cases this won’t be possible and in other cases their suggestions may cause ill will or hardship. For example, they could want their favorite child to do everything, or the one who lives furthest away to visit most often. In this case simply explain kindly who is able to do which task and why.
The person in the family who lives the closest will naturally be the one who does the daily tasks, but that doesn’t mean that she should do them all the time. Each person may need a break and so the tasks could be swapped around if other family members agree.
Those who are the closest should all have access keys and know where important documents are kept in case of emergencies. If all the family lives too far away, then there are three choices. The senior goes to live with some of the family, the senior lives at an assisted living facility, or they stay at home and depend on the care offered by government programs.
These are quite diverse and can included assistance with providing meals and transport, health care appointments, help with shopping and community nursing care. The family really needs to get involved with the care or at least with arranging for care, so they know what is going on and if anything else needs to be done. Eventually finances will need to be attended to and bills will need paying.
Luckily, these days there cell phones and the Internet to keep in contact and you can even shop online and have goods delivered straight to the senior’s front door.
Should you require the additional professional assistance of a memory care facility, contact Applewood Our House.
An assisted living care home is an option for seniors, who cannot fully take care of themselves. They can receive daily grooming, receive food, join other seniors for activities, and most importantly, live in a secure environment.
There are many ways that you can differentiate between an assisted living care home and an assisted living vs. nursing home. In general terms, most tend to classify assisted living as places where seniors have more independence than a nursing home. While they may seem similar, there are some significant differences to learn between these two categories of facilities.
Nursing homes, on the other hand, are typically for older adults who have a difficult time staying independent, who need constant care and have difficulty moving from one room to the next. Nursing homes typically provide a complete set of services to residents such as medical assistance, emotional support, etc. Whereas assisted living homes generally provide primary care.
It is often the case that assisted living care homes are cheaper than nursing home options. Many people find that living in an assisted living environment makes more sense than living in a nursing home.
An assisted living environment and an independent residence can vary significantly in the type of services that are offered and in cost. Make sure that you know what type of environment you want to live, and compare prices to see which one works best for you.
There are many options for seniors who would like to stay in an assisted living facility. For example, there are assisted living communities where you have the opportunity to visit with other family members in your loved one's home. There are also assisted living facilities where you have the option to share space with other senior residents.
The best way to locate an assisted living home is to learn what the facilities offer and find out how you can get the best prices.
