How to Provide Daily Care for Someone with Dementia

Daily Care Tips for Helping Those With Dementia

Dementia is a health condition that affects mainly people in their latter years. It involves the gradual loss of mental ability, which results in the loss of memory, changes in personality and ultimately a loss of social ability.

There are many conditions that predispose people to dementia especially conditions that bring about a level of damage to thinking, memory, reasoning and language, these include diseases like Alzheimer's or meningitis; things like brain tumors which cause pressure to the brain, or a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the brain caused by conditions like stroke, sustained head injuries, and heavy consumption of alcohol could also lead to dementia latter in life.

When detected early dementia can be slowed down, allowing the patient to slowly adjust and with the help of family and friends the stress and frustration that accompany it would be lighter. Dementia in the elderly can produce difficulty tending to basic self-care needs such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, etc. Dementia also changes in personality and thinking.

Here are some tips that may be helpful for individuals, families and caregivers:

-   Organize medications in a daily pill organizer.

-   Daily phone calls from a familiar person.

-   Millcreek can refer patients to a private caregiver agency can provide a caregiver to stay with the person each day and help out with daily chores.

-   If the person is becoming incontinent, develop a toileting schedule every two to three hours during the day.

-   Provide plenty of physical activities, such as daily walks.

-   Have the person participate in mentally stimulating activities daily, such as board games, card games, and other tasks that require interaction and a bit of problem solving.

-   Allow the person to do as much of their own self-care as possible.

-   Consider joining the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.They are a great resource for the client and family/caregiver.

For more information about providing daily care for someone with dementia in the Salt Lake City area, please contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice at 801-463-2478.