Specialized and personalized care is critical to navigating the dementia diagnosis of a family member or loved one. Choosing the right agency specifically dealing with dementia care can provide the necessary therapies and structured support required to help maintain independence and a good quality of life for as long as possible.
People with dementia require a unique level of care that usually goes beyond what family members can offer without causing overwhelming burnout and stress. Finding a supportive, secure, and safe agency specifically tailored for those who live with dementia will assure you that your loved one will be getting only the best level of support possible.
The goal of this article is to talk about the importance of choosing the right agency dealing with dementia care.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a type of complex condition affecting millions of people all over the world. It is not a specific disease per se, instead, it is an umbrella term that refers to a group of several cognitive disorders characterized by a decline in reasoning, thinking, and memory skills. This is a result of damage to brain cells that affect the ability of a person to perform everyday activities.
Although dementia is often linked with memory loss, this can also affect other cognitive abilities and functions including behavior, language, and problem-solving. The development and severity of dementia symptoms can differ depending on the person and the type of dementia in question.
Types of Dementia
Dementia has several types, and each one has its unique characteristics. Among the most common types are the following:
• Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that accounts for around 60% to 80% of cases. The condition is characterized by the buildup of tangles and plaques in the brain that result in the progressive decline of a person’s cognitive abilities.
• Frontotemporal Dementia
This form of dementia mainly affects the brain’s temporal and frontal lobes, as its name suggests. It results in changes in language abilities, behavior, and personality.
• Lewy Body Dementia
The presence of Lewy bodies or abnormal protein deposits in the brain characterizes this type of dementia. This is linked with visual hallucinations, cognitive fluctuations, and motor symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson’s disease.
• Mixed Dementia
It is a form of dementia that pertains to a combination of various types of dementia, typically vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is common for people to experience different causes of dementia.
• Vascular Dementia
The brain’s decreased bloodflow, typically the result of small vessel disease or stroke, is the main cause of vascular dementia. Its symptoms tend to differ according to the specific affected part of the brain.
Progression and Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia symptoms can vary according to the stage and type of the condition. But the following are some of its most common symptoms:
• Changes in behavior and mood
• Challenges with planning and problem-solving
• Disorientation and confusion
• Difficulty with communication and language
• Impaired decision-making and judgment
• Memory loss
In general, dementia has a gradual progression with symptoms getting worse over time. The progression rate can also differ from one person to another. Different factors may also influence it including the specific type of dementia, age, and overall health of the person.
Understanding dementia and its nature, its different types, and the progression and symptoms linked with this condition is important to provide and render the right level of support and care to the person diagnosed with the condition.
Benefits of Dementia Care
As far as dementia is concerned, it’s of utmost importance to provide proper care to improve the overall quality of life for the person suffering from the condition. Professional dementia care not only involves dealing with the physical needs of the patient but also meeting their distinct requirements and offering them the compassionate support they require.
Most agencies offer 24-hour personalized dementia care in a comfortable and safe setting. Family support, engaging activities, and carefully designed spaces are at the heart of trusted dementia care agencies.
Making the necessary plans for dementia care right after a diagnosis can give your loved one a sense of empowerment knowing that they have a say in their future care. People who have early-stage dementia can also play a part in the transition, fine-tune to their surroundings, and learn more about the people surrounding them.
The best dementia care agencies are made up of professional practitioners who offer enriching programs to help keep the body active and the mind sharp to support the patient’s overall health and well-being.
Getting started with supportive dementia care as soon as possible, even during the initial and simpler to manage dementia stages can already equip your family member with the necessary resources to understand and process these progressive conditions.
Here is a more in-depth look at the reasons why you should work with the right agency to look after your loved one suffering from dementia:
They Offer Relief for Caregivers
There is simply no question as to how much you treasure and love your family member. Being a full-time caregiver to them, however, can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. But the moment it becomes a source of stress or your loved one no longer seems to receive the right level and scope of care they need and deserve, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a reliable dementia care agency.
It is vital to have the peace of mind you will get from knowing that your family member is cared for and safe at all times. It will also renew your overall sense of well-being and can result in you and your family members having a healthier and stronger relationship down the road.
The condition can put a serious toll not just on your loved one but even on the rest of your family. If you wish to give yourself much-needed relief and avoid caregiver burnout, you might want to take advantage of dementia care services.
They Create a Comfortable Living Environment
An agency specializing in dementia care can keep things safe without feeling extremely cold or even clinical. These providers strike the perfect balance much to the delight of their clients. Creating a welcoming and homey environment is crucial to give patients the best quality of living and the highest level of comfort possible.
The right agency will strive to create this kind of entertainment. They also go the extra mile to make sure that the person diagnosed with dementia will remain comfortable for as long as possible.
They Create an Engaging Calendar of Activities
Human beings are social creatures who long to form relationships and build connections with others around them. People with dementia are no exception to this.
Socialization is no doubt critical to maintaining the overall health and well-being of a dementia patient. One of the best things about hiring the right agency is giving them the chance to engage in various activities.
Activity calendars are specially crafted and curated to offer activities that are stimulating and safe for those who need dementia care. These activities may include walking, gardening, live music, bingo, movie nights, art socials, fitness groups, and more.
There are interactive and fun ways that dementia patients can interact with other people while also maintaining a fulfilling and rich experience.
They Nurture a Social Network
The moment a person has been diagnosed with dementia, it is almost like their world shrinks all of a sudden. Loneliness and the sense of isolation can negatively impact their overall health, possibly making their dementia worse.
This is why it is critical to form a social network that a dementia patient can rely on. The right agency will create a solid support community that will enrich their social lives with creative outlets, supervised excursions, and other activities that can cultivate a positive rapport between the patient and the caregiver.
They Cater to the Unique Needs of Dementia Patients
Every dementia patient is unique, which means they may also have varying care needs. It is imperative to identify and address these distinct needs to offer effective and appropriate dementia care.
Among the most common areas where dementia patients may need specialized support include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Activities, Routines, and Engagement
Meaningful activities, routines, and engagement can help dementia patient maintain their cognitive function, reduce agitation, and encourage a sense of purpose. Tailoring the activities to their specific preferences, abilities, and interests can make a big difference to their health and well-being as a whole.
People with dementia of any form can benefit from programs, routines, and daily activities meant to encourage independence, nurture cognitive functions such as memory and focus, and promote socialization. Planned and structured activities like outdoor activities, art therapy, and music therapy can help enrich the life of the person and even cultivate friendships.
It doesn’t matter if the patient’s preferred activities are exercising, taking care of animals, spending time outdoors, or crafts, the right agency will provide patients with the events and activities that appeal to them regardless of the stage of their lives.
• Communication
Dementia patients may have a hard time understanding other people or express themselves. Care agencies can tweak their communication techniques to make them clearer, more supportive, and more patient to ensure effective interactions every single time.
• Hydration and Nutrition
People with dementia may have a hard time drinking and eating. Caregivers must ensure proper hydration and nutrition. They can provide suitable food options, monitor intake, and adapt mealtime routines according to the specific needs of the patient.
• Environment and Safety
Creating a supportive and safe environment is imperative for people with dementia. It may involve changing the living areas to minimize hazards, establishing routines that encourage comfort and familiarity, and implementing necessary safety measures.
They Offer Personalized Care
Being diagnosed with dementia comes with a distinct set of concerns that family members should be aware of. Even though most people already have safety issues when it comes to accidental falls and slips and other similar things of this nature, it can get more serious for dementia patients.
It is not a secret that people diagnosed with dementia tend to become disoriented, wandering, and turning around. It can then pose an immediate and serious threat to their safety and well-being.
A dementia patient can get lost easily, which can expose themselves to different detrimental elements including extremely cold or hot weather.
Beyond this, they may even end up wandering into dangerous areas. Scammers, frauds, and criminals can easily exploit people with dementia.
Even in a typical home environment, properly monitoring and keeping tabs on your loved one can already be challenging. But working with the right agency can save you from all this stress. Professional dementia care providers can monitor their patients 24/7 for ultimate peace of mind and safety.
These agencies aren’t just formed to cater to dementia care patients as a mere afterthought. Instead, they have the ultimate goal of serving those who have been diagnosed with dementia. From creating a small and intricate gathering space to securing the entire perimeter of your home, they will keep your family members safe while making sure that they get to enjoy the best quality of life they need and deserve.
They Create a Sense of Security
One of the most critical concerns for family members of people who have been diagnosed with dementia is the possibility that once left unchecked or unmonitored, they might wander off. Getting confused or lost even during the early stages of the condition can already be challenging in itself. However, it is a common concern observed in more than half of dementia patients.
Dementia care agencies can design an environment that can limit the wandering behavior of a patient while closely monitoring them day in and day out. They may also use emergency systems or even wearable tracking monitors to help keep their patients safe while still promoting exploration and independence.
They Offer Supportive Care to Family Members of Dementia Patients
Caring for your loved one diagnosed with dementia is a job that requires your time, and if you’re a non-professional, things can get quite overwhelming. People with dementia have significant and unique needs, which can grow even further as the condition progresses. It can become all-consuming to try to do everything on your own, which can soon result in caregiver burnout.
Dementia care is not only valuable for the patient alone. The staff members of the agency can also provide the family members with the necessary resources that would have been inaccessible to them otherwise. You can also count on the training, experience, and expertise of these professional providers of dementia care.
As a family member or relative, the only job left for you to do is to create more new memories, treasure the old ones, and travel with your loved one down memory lane so you can enjoy the time you spend together.
Choose the Right Agency for Dementia Care Early
Dementia care is unique, and the best agencies can offer a carefully crafted lifestyle that can benefit not only the patient but also their family members in many different ways.
Expert caregivers can offer personalized dementia care that can improve a person’s overall well-being and quality of life. They do so by identifying and addressing the distinct requirements of a person with dementia.
Dementia care should always be approached with great care while taking into account the physical, mental, social, emotional, as well as psychological health and well-being of the patient. While doing so, try to involve the patient if possible when making decisions regarding their future care.