Dementia Tips

It is crucial to understand your patient who is experiencing dementia. Here are some tips for families who have dementia patients.

• Make your patient carry the id every time he/she goes out
  Right down patient’s emergency contact numbers, name and address. Thus if he/she get lost people may be able to help your dementia patient.
• Support them to have a healthy diet
  As people get older they eat less. As a consequence they may not take their daily nutiriution they need.  They may need somebody to remember them that they have to eat.  Even telling them to drink water could be an issue.  Since there is significant changes in both eating and smelling, eating experience may not be pleasant for dementia patients. Their disease condition and daily medication may affect their taste. Most of the time, dementia patients are struggling to chew the food because of their unhealthy teeth.  Swallowing may also be a problem for a dementia patient.  They may not be able to cook themselves and eating outside is usually very difficult  because of getting out from their home to eat at a restaurant is not easy. Because of the lack of taste among these patients, they are not motivated to eat as they used to be at their young ages. Don’t forget that even their both biologic and realage is old, they still require to get sufficient amount of daily nutrition which contains carbs, proteins, mineral, vitamins and water. Even so, your elder still needs the proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals in food, and plenty of water.  Provide the foods that are familiar to them. Thus they might remember the taste.  .
• Make some modifications to their living place
  Change the place of the furniture to make them comfortable. Even mirrors may be annoying when they see themselves. Everything should be easy to access. Redesing or redecorate the room according to their personal needs.  However don’t make dramatic changes that may result with the loss of their familiar environment.
  Provide big and easy to read clocks.  Always use big calendars.  It can be both helpful reminder for time and date
• Communicate with your dementia patient
  Communication is key.  Although the severity of the symptoms may vary from patient to patient, the dementia patients may find difficult to find the right word, speak smoothly, comprehend and write.  They may interrupt you while you are talking or simply they may not pay attention to what you are saying. 
  While talking with dementia patient, stay still, give them some time to comprehend.  Use simple sentences.  Always be positive and use your body language to support your wording.  Don’t argue even you don’t agree with him/her.  Remember; to be patient while communicating with the dementia patient that you are taking care of.  Don’t blame them, you are not the only one who is experiencing this dramatic change. There are many available trainings, books and consultations and methods on how to cope and manage this period.
• Communicating with the healthcare professionals
  As the patient experience more severe symptoms of dementia you will contact with many healthcare professionals.  Establish strong relations with them.  Do not hesitate to ask any questions.  Learn as much as you can.
• Help them to sleep well
  Dementia patients usually confuses the day and the night.  This usually cause difficulty to fall a sleep.  Discuss the available treatment alternatives that may manage their sleep disorder.
• Make them comfortable in the bath
  Making dementia patient comfortable in the bath is crucial. Always provide additional towels at an easy place in the bathroom. Bathroom should always be warm. Dementia patients may confuse hot and cold water. Thus examine the water prior to their bath or shower.
• Monitor how they use the restrooms
  As people get older they may experience difficulties to get to the toilets.
  They may not be able to sit or simply get up. You have to organize the place of the towels to make the reach trouble-free. They may forget whato to do in the restrooms. Don’t be upset, after a careful observation we recommend you to make necessary adjustments according to thier personal use of the bathroom.
• Motivate them to make exercise every day
  They should at least walk everyday. If you are not available to accompany him/her for getting out to walk, find somebody who can. Motivate them to make certain activities within the house like climbing stairs, placing dishes to washing  machine etc..
• Take all precaution that prevent them from falls
  Falling at older ages may bring undesired consequences like fractures, serious bleeding and also a broken arm or leg..  You should make necessary modifications to prevent fall and injuries. Thus stairs, rooms, the hallway should not be in the dark. Always provide the light on their pathways. Be careful about the furniture. It should not be a barrier on the their way to walk. Make the toilet seat color obvious to make them easily see the exact location.
• Be sure that they take the right medication without skipping
  Monitor how they take the medication. They may take the wrong ones. To avoid unnecessary risks always check the labels first. In the labels check the drug’s name, ingredient, dose, and name of the pharmacy with its contact number, name of the doctor who prescribed the drug and his/her phone number.
• Keep them socially active
  If you keep the patient socially active you will be able to incrase his motivation, which will keep him/her away from depression. Try to make some program every week like going to cinema, restaurant,  a show, make some time with their friends, take them to a holiday  etc..
• Plan their doctor visits
  Don’t skip regular visits to their physician. This will help you to monitor your patient’s latest health status. Observe your patient’s health status after each visit and teke a feedback from the physician.  Ask the doctor about latest available  treatment alternatives. Stay updated about the disease.  Creating strong relationships with your doctors and your healthcare providers is crucial. Always be nice to them.
• Manage their finance
  Don’t count on their math. They may not percieve the difference between $1 and $100. On money issues you should always be the controller and the person who manages the money. It may be difficult to accept but son’t count on their past abilities. You should pay their bills. Always watch out their spending.  And do not let him/her to lend any money to anyoneelse. The best solution is to open a joint bank  account. Give them money to buy small things. It should be that amount of money even they loose the it you won’t be upset..
• Provide all the emergency and frequently used numbers close to him/her.