Dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, it is a general term for a decline in mental abilities caused by diseases and conditions affecting the brain.
The cognitive decline affects memory and thinking skills, usually starting slowly but worsening quickly. It may not cause symptoms for many years, but as it progresses, it can become increasingly difficult to live with and eventually lead to other disabilities, such as loneliness or depression.
As the population ages, more and more people will have dementia. It is estimated that by 2025, about seven million Americans will have dementia. That’s almost one in five of those age 65 and older!
The good news is that with more people projected to suffer from dementia in the near future, the need for senior care has never been more critical.
With proper elderly care and supervision, many seniors from Brooklyn, NY, can live happy and healthy lives well into old age. Unfortunately, not everyone receives the same amount of senior care or supervision, which can result in negative consequences down the road.
This article covers everything you need to know about caring for an elderly loved one with dementia — from what causes it to how you can help them stay happy and active as long as possible.
What Is Dementia?
As pointed out, dementia is a general term for a decline in memory and other cognitive abilities that is severe enough to affect a person’s daily life.
With dementia, people experience changes in their thinking, feeling, language, and behavior. This may compromise their judgment, problem-solving, decision-making, memory, and communication. Eventually, the condition can make it difficult to perform daily activities such as dressing, eating, bathing, medication reminders, and going to the bathroom.
In the beginning, these mental changes are noticeable but usually not severe enough to interfere with daily life. As the disease worsens, it interferes more with daily living.
The severity of dementia can be measured in several ways. The most common ways are by looking at the level of the patient’s impairment, their decline in function over time, and the amount of daily help they need.
Types of Dementia
While there are many types of dementia, the most common is Alzheimer’s disease. This condition is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain that interfere with the flow of information between brain cells.
Other less common types of dementia include vascular dementia, caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain, and frontotemporal dementia, caused by abnormal growths on the frontal and temporal lobes.
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia
Early in the disease, the signs and symptoms of dementia may be so mild that they are not noticeable. Or they may be mistaken for changes that come with normal aging. As dementia worsens, symptoms may include:
Memory Loss and Forgetfulness
Forgetting recently learned information is expected as we age. But people with dementia may forget things that happened just minutes or hours ago.
It doesn’t have to be a complete loss of all memories; in fact, most people with dementia can still remember major events and important people in their life.
This is why it’s important to rule out other causes before assuming you or a loved one has dementia.
Misplacing Items
Misplacing items, especially more often than usual, can be a sign that a loved one is developing dementia. This may occur more often when a person is stressed or tired.
Poor Decision-making
People with dementia may have trouble making decisions, especially when there are too many options. This can lead to people living with dementia putting themselves at risk or making decisions they wouldn’t have made when they were healthy.
Confusion and Getting Lost
Confusion and getting lost are common but severe signs of dementia. If a loved one begins getting lost frequently or becomes confused while driving, they might have dementia.
Decreased Attention Span
People with dementia may have a shorter attention span and find it difficult to focus on one thing. This can make completing tasks such as crafts or crossword puzzles difficult.
Mood Changes
People with dementia may have mood changes that are difficult to explain. They may become angry or aggressive for no reason.
People who have dementia may become more anxious, depressed, or confused, or they may become less interested in everyday things.
They may also be less friendly and less willing to participate in social activities or hobbies that they were otherwise very interested in.
Difficulties Communicating
People with dementia may have problems communicating. This can include misusing or wrongfully using words or occasionally not being able to find the words they are looking for.
Causes of Dementia
Although doctors don’t fully understand what causes dementia, the general consensus is that it results from a series of diseases causing degeneration in the brain. However, any or a combination of the following can significantly increase the risk of dementia:
- Age – As people age, their brains naturally lose some of their cells and connections. This is a normal part of life, but it can lead to dementia in some cases.
- Genetics – People are more likely to develop dementia if a parent or sibling has the condition.
- Medical conditions – Certain diseases and conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, and chronic infections, can increase the risk of dementia.
- Poor lifestyle choices – Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight, and not exercising can increase the risk of dementia.
What Is Elderly Care
Elderly care is the process of providing care to an elderly person who has a chronic illness or impairment that limits their ability to perform daily activities. The caregiver may either be family members, community organizations, or even hired professionals.
The goal of elderly care is to help elderly people maintain their independence and dignity while staying in their own homes as long as possible. Care may include medical services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition counseling, and personal care such as bathing and grooming.
Elderly care may also include help with household tasks like meal preparation, cleaning, and shopping for groceries.
How Does Elderly Care Benefits Seniors with Dementia
Dementia is difficult to live with, but elderly care can make a significant difference for someone with the disease.
Regular physical assistance with daily tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing, and medical care can help your loved one live as independently as possible.
Elderly care services can work on creating a compassionate care plan for their loved ones. This care plan should include a list of necessary activities and tasks and a schedule for implementing them.
This is especially important if your loved one is living independently, as it can help prevent a major health crisis from becoming an emergency.
Types of Elderly Care Available
As with all things related to elderly care, there are many different types of care available. Your choice will depend on your loved one’s medical needs and lifestyle preferences, as some elderly individuals may prefer to be at home. In contrast, others may prefer to move into assisted living communities or nursing homes.
In-Home Care Services
A home care service is a type of care provided at home by a team of healthcare professionals. This may include help with daily activities, meals, medication management, and more.
Home care services can be a great option for individuals who prefer the convenience of living at home but also need assistance with daily tasks.
Long-Term Care
In some cases, it may be necessary to move into long-term care to receive the level of care your loved one needs to remain safe and independent.
Assisted living facilities and other long-term senior care communities offer various assisted living options designed to make daily living easier for aging individuals.
How to Find Elderly Care in Your Area
Before hiring a caregiver, you must look at all your options. There are many types of elderly care available, and finding the one that best suits your loved one’s needs can make a huge difference.
Depending on your loved one’s needs and preferences, you can choose between hiring a full-time registered nurse, getting regular visits from a house call service, or a hybrid of the two.
If you know what type of care your loved one would prefer, you can narrow your search to local providers who offer services similar to what you are looking for.
There are many home healthcare providers, and their services vary. Some focus on helping patients with daily activities, while others can also provide medical assistance. However, you may want to hire a professional caregiver or home health aide if your loved one needs round-the-clock care.
With that said, you can look for caregivers in your area by talking to your loved ones. Ask your family members or friends if they know of any good caregivers in the area.
You can also search online for senior care services in your area. Many times, you will be able to find reviews of the various services, which can help you narrow down your options.
You can also search for local resources, like local community government agencies and nonprofit organizations, that can help you find caregivers. Many of these organizations offer free or low-cost services for families who need financial assistance.
Things to Consider Before Choosing an Elderly Caregiver
Before you choose an elderly care service, it’s important to take some time to think about how you will choose one. After all, you want someone who will be there for years to come, so it’s important to ensure that you are comfortable with who will provide this care.
That said, there are a few essential factors to keep in mind when choosing a care service for your loved one, such as:
- Experience – This is where you want to ensure the caregiver has experience dealing with people with dementia. It’s more important than their education or certification. –
- Availability – If you want around-the-clock care, you need to make sure the caregiver can make themselves available during the hours you need them to be there.
- Personality – The best care in the world isn’t going to help if your loved one doesn’t like or trust their caregiver. Personality is just as important as experience and availability.
- Cost – The average cost of home care services can vary widely depending on your needs and the area you live in. So, you’ll want to make sure you can afford the person you choose and if they take insurance or other financial assistance solutions.
Is There a Cure for Dementia?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia. But there are things that you can do to minimize your risk of getting dementia.
For one, early diagnosis and treatment can help control symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life.
Regular visits to the doctor and staying informed about new developments in medical research can all help reduce your risk of developing the condition.
It is also important to keep your brain healthy. This includes staying socially active, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Make sure you don’t skimp on sleep, as it’s vital for your mental health.
Make sure also to get enough exercise. Physical activity can help you stay healthy and avoid cognitive decline.
Lastly, remember to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking and excessive drinking.
Contact Four Seasons Healthcare Solutions for Quality In-home Health Care in Brooklyn, NY
Staying mentally healthy throughout one’s lifetime is essential for everyone, especially older people. This is because as we get older, our brains start to experience more cognitive decline.
And while our loved ones will be able to take care of us well, professional elderly care from Four Seasons Healthcare Solutions can offer great support for someone with dementia. Our approach to elderly care can improve a person’s quality of life and prevent frustration and loneliness from worsening.
So, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to reach out to Four Seasons Healthcare Solutions right away by calling us at (718)872-4751.
Early detection is critical for dementia, and prompt interventions can delay or even prevent further symptoms.
