old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
More awareness and care are needed for the more than 55 million persons who suffer from dementia in their elderly parents globally. It’s not simple to care for parents who have dementia at home, though. It can be really depressing to watch your parent gradually lose their memories.
However, you can guarantee your parents receive the care they need and perhaps halt its progression if you recognize it early. Let’s examine the definition of dementia and how to provide at-home care for senior folks suffering from it.
What is Dementia?
The state known as dementia can result from a number of illnesses that impact a person’s nerve cells. Loss of memory and cognitive function results from this. Over time, the condition deteriorates and the person gradually loses all cognitive control.
Although memory loss can occur at any age, people over 60 to 65 are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. In this case, biological aging contributes significantly to brain cell destruction.
According to a survey, 8.8 million Indians over 60 suffer from dementia. Individuals and the government are bearing a heavy financial burden as a result of this.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Stages of Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the two most prevalent forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for between 60 and 80 percent of dementia cases. However, there are four different stages of dementia, which include
Preclinical Stage
Although there are alterations in the brain cells at this stage, the patient’s behaviors do not significantly change. As a result, the sickness cannot now be detected.
Early Stage
This is the time when you first notice signs of dementia in your parents. Symptoms include forgetting names and numbers, having trouble remembering recent events, and having trouble understanding ordinary concepts. It is easier to care for parents with dementia at home when these symptoms are identified early, especially when a good care plan is in place.
Mid Stage
At this point, the illness will be more noticeable because your parents’ personalities and behaviors will have entirely changed. It will be impossible to leave them alone once they grow vulnerable. At this point, rigorous management and continuous observation are necessary to ensure the safety of dementia treatment at home.
Late Stage
Patients lose total control over their independence, identity, and memory in this last stage. They are utterly incapable of identifying and reacting to even their closest relatives. During this phase, intensive hospital care or 24-hour dementia treatment at home is required.
The illness affects those who have it, those who care for them, and society as a whole in ways that are social, psychological, physical, and economic. Early dementia detection, however, can offer a chance to make plans for future assistance and care.
With a little help, caring for parents with dementia at home after early detection is made simpler.
Tips on Caring for Old People with Dementia at Home
Patients with dementia will inevitably experience rapid mood swings, violent behavior, and forgetfulness. However, both partners frequently suffer as a result of the closest caregiver’s worry and anxiety.
You may experience feelings of frustration, agitation, and depression as a result of the disease. But if you follow these guidelines, taking care of parents who have dementia at home will be a little easier.
Learn about the Treatments of Dementia
Although dementia currently has no known cure, several treatments can delay its course. Memantine and donepezil are examples of prescription medications that help lessen the severity of Alzheimer’s disease. Medication-assisted blood pressure and cholesterol management also stops additional brain cell damage.
Make Changes at Home to Reduce Accidents
When a patient with dementia is in your house, it’s crucial to cover unused electrical outlets and keep them away from potentially dangerous items like glass and sharp blades. Clear the patient’s usual path from the room to the restroom or dining area to prevent unintentional falls and accidents.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Take the Help of Other Caregivers
Make an effort to get in touch with other caregivers who are coping with the illness in order to learn about their experiences and receive insightful guidance. You might look for senior care assistance on social media or ask your doctor to put you in touch with other dementia patients’ families.
Regularly Consult With your Family and Friends
Even though you may be your parent’s primary caretaker, it is always beneficial to have some extra hands and minds on your side. When you need assistance, ask your closest friends and family members for it.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Keep Yourself Updated on the Disease
Participate in in-person or virtual webinars or talks about dementia; read about dementia and its prevention and care strategies online; and know the symptoms of dementia at each stage to assist you set up better equipment and behavior management strategies for the patient.
Prepare For the Upcoming Stages
It is difficult to watch your loved ones suffer as their condition steadily deteriorates. As their dementia advances, they will require more of your love, care, patience, and attention, so be ready for this.
Take Medical Help to Slow Down the Symptoms
Seek medical attention as soon as possible to slow the disease’s course. To control the disease, speak with the top neurologist in your area and schedule the required tests as soon as possible. You can help them live a better life, or at least keep it from growing worse, with the right medication.
Give importance to Your Mental State Too
As you watch your parent’s Alzheimer condition develop over time, it’s quite normal to feel overwhelmed, nervous, and even depressed. To better manage your stress and anxiety, get mental health care from therapists if you feel that you need it.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Hire an In-Home Caregiver
You can seek dementia treatment at home from a professional if managing it alone is becoming too challenging. An in-home caregiver can effectively assist your parent with eating, dressing, taking a shower, and moving around the house or surrounding area. You might use that time to rest or take care of other important tasks.
Communicate with Your Parent Regularly
You must keep the lines of communication open when providing in-home care for parents suffering from dementia in order to make them feel safe and at ease. Promote bidirectional communication and use activities to keep their minds engaged. To demonstrate your protectiveness, speak gently.
Make a Routine of Regular Tasks for Your Parent
Create a timetable of daily chores and post it in the dining room or bedroom. This will assist your parent with reading and memorization of their daily assignments. Set up reminders for important appointments and medications.
Help them Live a Healthy and Active Life
Consuming vitamin-rich foods will keep their bodies and minds active. Considering your parent’s age, make the dish easy to swallow and digest. To keep their brain cells active, help them engage in their favorite activities and lead them in mini-workouts and meditations.
Install CCTV Camera At Home for Constant Vigilance
Concerns about your parent’s safety and security will also grow as their dementia progresses. Installing motion sensors and a CCTV camera at your home’s entry can enable you to quickly identify and stop your parents from becoming hurt or misplaced.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Take The Help of Music and Storybooks
Music has a powerful memory-enhancing effect. Play your parent’s favorite calming music and perhaps get them to dance. To keep their minds engaged, read them books that are appropriate for their cognitive stage and pose questions based on the stories.
Continuously Refresh Their Memory
Show your older parent who has dementia the photos in your family album that you took out of the cupboard. This will help them refresh their memories. To help kids consistently recognize those faces, you may also place some photos of the closest or most valuable people in their bedroom.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
Conclusion
Therefore, home dementia therapy calls for ongoing attention to detail, proactive early intervention strategies, and a great deal of patience on the part of the caregiver. You may act right away on suspicion if you have a thorough awareness of the illness, its stages, and the significance of early identification. Hopefully, the aforementioned advice will enable you to provide parents with dementia with better at-home care.old age home for dementia patients in kolkata
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