Why It's Important to Contact a Dementia Care Facility
Published: 04/09/2020
Living with dementia can be a difficult and lonely experience for both the person suffering with dementia, as well as their family and close friends.
Overtime, the world of the person with dementia changes as the disease progresses. People with the disease can experience an array of social, emotional and practical challenges. All of which can progress from short-term to long-term effects.
What are the Common Types of Dementia?
There are many different types of dementia, however, some are more common than others.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a very common form of dementia, which adults tend to suffer from later on in their lives. Alzheimer’s Disease is caused by chemical and structural changes to certain brain cells, which eventually reduce in numbers over time.
Another common form of dementia is vascular or multi-infarct dementia. This is the second most common form of the disease. A person can suffer a series of strokes, which prevent oxygen to reach brain cells, and therefore resulting in those brain cells degrading over time.
Even though there are many different forms of the disease, only a small number of dementias are reversible, which can occur as a secondary development in treatable conditions.
Effects of Dementia
Dementia can have many different effects, depending on the type of disease and the person suffering with that disease. Most people experience problems with their memory, as well as facing difficulties when thinking or making decisions.
As a result, the loss of memory and difficulty when processing thoughts could decrease levels of self-esteem. As well as affect levels of independence, social roles, interactions, relationships, and everyday skills.
It is common that dementia sufferers will experience significant differences within their lifestyles, however, some people will still be able to retain some of their abilities. Even though they may be different to what they had before, the connection will still be present. Even if the condition is progressing.
How COVID-19 Has Affected Dementia Sufferers
The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted all our lives in some way or form, and it has been extremely hard to understand for people suffering with dementia. Moreover, it is difficult for loved ones and carers to explain self-isolation and social distancing to someone with dementia as the information can seem quite complex, and is a change to their usual routine and lifestyle.
Whether your loved one is in a care home facility, looked after by a family member or a live-in care assistant, a useful method to remind dementia sufferers about social distancing and self-isolating can be to leave notes around their house or room with short sentences and guides. Try not to make it too complex, as it can just confuse them further.
When and Why to Contact a Facility for Help
There are approximately 850,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK, and this figure is predicted to rise to one million by 2025. Living with dementia is more than just having the disease, but also by experiencing a huge change to your lifestyle.
In most cases, friends and family members are there to ensure that dementia sufferers have the support and care they need. However, there are many dementia patients who unfortunately do not have close friends and family around them. This is when care assistants are there to give them the levels of care and support they need. This support should be sensitive to the person as an individual, to help their well-being and support their needs.
If you notice changes with your loved one, such as their general way of living, their memory or them feeling confused and agitated, do not hesitate to contact a dementia support facility. Additionally, it is also important for care assistants to be made aware of any noticeable changes in their patients.
At Bluebird Care (Havering), we can provide experienced care assistants to help you maintain your loved one’s quality of life whilst remaining in the comfort of their own home. We create specialised dementia care plans to meet the unique needs of our customers.
Contact us today by sending an email to havering@bluebirdcare.co.uk or call us on 01708 372842
