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Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Alzheimer's And Dealing With Dementia

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By Jack Morgan


For one to receive news that they have dementia can be rather heart breaking for them and their loved ones. The best thing to do after receiving such news is to make the necessary preparations. It will provide you and your loved ones with the capability to deal with the unpredictable and ever changing of nature of the condition.

Once one is diagnosed with dementia, there are series stages that will occur before the disease becomes full blown. There are various ways that can help both the affected and their loved ones to deal with dementia. The following are some of the best ways to deal with dementia, which have been tried and tested.

Since the symptoms of dementia include hallucinations, confusions and lack of understanding, you should keep the patient's living environment safe. Safety tips include; keeping the house clean and clutter free from objects, such as wires or rugs; installing handrails near the stairs or in bathrooms to prevent a fall; and using non-slippery mats in the bathrooms.

When dealing with a person who has dementia, there has to be a high level of understanding and appreciation for the disease. The person charged with the care of a person suffering from dementia has to be able to put themselves in the affected person's shoes. Understanding the frustration, which a person with dementia has, provides the best means of calming the person down. This understanding provides the care giver with a good perspective of how the person is feeling. This will enable them to know what causes their erratic outbursts and what calms the person down.

Restructuring is a must when it comes to dealing with dementia. One has to ensure the set up of the home or facility is a safe environment in regards to the behaviour of the patient. For instance, if the affected person tends to regularly disassemble items, then one has to place safe and non-essential items in the immediate environment of the person. This will ensure the safety of the person. One has to set up the house with the consideration that there is a person in the house with special needs who does absorb and process information like a regular healthy person.

Reassurance is a key aspect when dealing with a person suffering from dementia. A person suffering from dementia is usually frustrated, angry and anxious. The care giver has to calmly reassure them whenever they get scared or anxious. Let them know that all is well and that they are there to take care of them.

Once a certain amount of time has elapsed, one has to sit down and evaluate how caring for the person has been. This involves looking at the triggers of their erratic outbursts, things that calm them down and what setting or situations they are most comfortable in. This will mean that one can see the problems that need improving on, what they should avoid and generally how to make the person happier and healthier.

Dementia is an unfortunate disease to have, but that does mean that one cannot find ways of coping with their loved one's condition. When people use the right methods when dealing with dementia, then the person affected can live a relatively happy life.




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