Dementia Care
Dementia care
Dementia can be a distressing condition, not only for the individuals affected by it but also for their families. Since dementia is a progressive illness, its symptoms tend to exacerbate over time, varying in their rate of progression depending on the type of dementia and other life circumstances. Consequently, affected individuals may require increased care and support, which could necessitate seeking professional care services, such as those offered in a nursing home. Making such a decision is challenging, highlighting the importance of obtaining all relevant information when considering care options for people with dementia.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is a comprehensive term encompassing various degenerative conditions that impact the brain. While Alzheimer’s disease is frequently cited, there are actually five prevalent forms of dementia, namely Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. The underlying mechanism behind dementia entails damage to nerve cells in the brain, impeding their ability to transmit messages and effectively communicate with other nerve cells. Each form of dementia targets a distinct area of the brain, leading to distinct symptoms and progression patterns.
Most commonly, symptoms include:
Memory loss
- Difficulties making decisions and problem solving
- Speech and communication difficulties
- General confusion
- Loss of daily living skills
- Perception of, and interaction with, the space and objects around us
Symptoms tend to worsen as dementia progresses. In some cases this can be a slow progression, whereas in other types of dementia, symptoms can remain unchanged for some time, and then deteriorate quite quickly, before stabilising again for a while. During the later stages of dementia, the most common symptoms include:
• Severe memory problems, for example, people may not recognise close family members.
• A worsening of communication problems. Some people may lose the ability to express themselves.
• Problems with mobility, making it difficult to move unaided, or becoming unable to walk.
• Symptoms of distress, often related to an inability to make sense of the world around the person, resulting in anxiety, distress, and agitation.
• Issues with loss of appetite, and weight loss
Dementia Nursing Care
If you’re caring for someone with dementia at home, you may be considering a care home. It’s a difficult decision for both careers and people living with dementia, so there are a few things you might want to take into account when thinking about taking this step.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia at home, you may be considering a care home. It’s a difficult decision for both careers and people living with dementia, so there are a few things you might want to take into account when thinking about taking this step.
Dementia Nursing Care
When is the right time for Dementia nursing care? The right time for someone with dementia to move into a nursing home is a very personal decision, and will be different for everyone. If you’re struggling with this decision, remember that it’s important to think of what’s best for the person you’re caring for.
If you’re at the stage where you’re unable to provide the help and support they need at home, then it might be the right time to start thinking about a nursing home where professional care can be provided. Similarly, if someone can no longer live independently, it could be the right time for dementia nursing care.
Benefits of care for people living with Dementia
Although it’s an extremely difficult decision to make, and can often leave a carer feeling guilty, it’s important to recognise that there can be huge benefits of moving into a nursing home for someone with dementia. For example:
• 24-hour support from professionally trained staff
• Activities designed to support health and wellbeing, tailored to individual needs
• Social benefits of meeting other residents, building new friendships
And, of course, when someone moves into a nursing home, it doesn’t mean that you no longer have an important role in their care. You may find that your relationship with them improves, as you can focus on spending quality time together rather than worrying about everyday care duties.
Things to consider
To make the decision easier, you may want to ask yourself some questions. You could also make these questions talking points for a discussion about dementia care with the person you care for, if they’re able to.
• How might nursing home staff be better able to provide care than you?
• What would the benefits of moving to a nursing home be for the person you care for?
• What would the benefits be for you, and your relationship with them?
• How can you still be involved in their care if they go into a nursing home?
Stimulating long-term memory
People with dementia often have good long-term memories and can get a huge reward from reminiscing. Our activities teams have many items from the past, often kept in rooms set out in style to bring back memories and encourage debate about ‘by gone’ times.
It’s the little things that count
People with dementia often gain great pleasure from seemingly small interactions. This could be a night time chat with a care worker, or maybe looking at an old family photo album. It could even be a slice of their favourite cake. All of these apparently small things can elicit positive reactions, not only bringing pleasure to the resident, but also contributing to the job satisfaction of our staff
Individual Dementia Care Plans
Stability and regular routine are important parts of dementia care, both for residents and families. At our nursing homes is with specialist in dementia care skills, we involve residents and families in writing care plans which reflect the needs of that resident.
This attention to detail allows residents to be as comfortable as possible, feeling part of the nursing home community, surrounded by staff who know them well.
Find out more
If you’d like to discuss care for a person living with dementia in more detail, or
find out about what we offer here at YYNH, just get in touch. We’re
more than happy to help with any questions you might have
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Mrs Adekola Tokunbo's In Home Care
My mother, Mrs. Adekola Tokunbo, received excellent care from Yahweh Yasad. The quality of service was top-notch, and we found great value for the price. We’d choose them again!
