![]() Medical researchers are yet to discover the actual cause of dementia and ways of treating it. However, as the world waits patiently when a surefire solution to dementia will be obtained through various researches going on in different medical laboratories, one of the things we can do for our loved ones suffering from this condition is to provide them with quality residential care. If you are living in Dallas, there are a number of home health agencies Dallas TX that will help you choose the best dementia care Dallas home for a loved one. This blog post provides you with some essential guidelines to keep in mind when you are searching for assisted residential facility for dementia and Alzheimer’s care Dallas. Consider the Needs of the Patient and their Family Take note of the particular needs of your loved one with Alzheimer before starting your search for dementia care Dallas facility. If it is possible, write them down and assess each facility you visit based on the extent these needs are realized in them. Don’t also forget your family needs as well. Choose an Alzheimer’s care Dallas home that has the facilities to meet all of them. Visit a Number of Facilities before Making Your Choice It is essential that you visit about three or more facilities taking into consideration the above mentioned point when assessing them. It will be great if another person not emotionally involved in the issue accompanies you in these visits so that both of you can assess the facilities visited. As it is said, two good heads are better than one. So, the judgment of two of you will help you to make an informed choice that you will not regret. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Budget There is no doubt you want the best for the patient. However, in such a case bothering on emotion, everybody is limited by their financial capacity. You have to be realistic with your choice of assisted dementia care Dallas home. Don’t choose an assisted living facility that is beyond your financial power, otherwise you will end up creating more tension for yourself. Dementia-Friendly Environment is a Must Ensure you choose a dementia Care Dallas facility that has a dementia-behavior friendly environment. A good facility should offer maximum comfort to the patient. The atmosphere there should be home-like. It should also be well staffed with trained personnel to supervise and provide for the need of the patients on a 24/7 basis. Wrap Up The decision to take your loved one to a dementia care facility may not be an easy one, but it is a smart one because left alone, you may not be able to offer the best care to patient. Some of these facilities are handled by experts trained in the management of such medical conditions. With them taking care of your loved one, you will have a peace of mind that nothing will happen to the patient as you go about your job and other daily routine.
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Dementia is a mental disorder that affects two or more core mental functions of an individual, such as memory, logical reasoning, language and ability to focus. As core mental functions are affected, it interferes with social or occupational functioning. Though most people believe that Dementia causes only memory loss, the fact is that if left unattended, the disorder can cripple the routine life of a patient, leading to immense frustration. To help understand Dementia better, in this post we discuss the symptoms, causes and available treatment options to help Dementia patients.
Symptoms Dementia is progressive which means the symptoms start to appear slowly and gradually get worse with time. The symptoms of Dementia may vary depending on the cause and the level of progression, however, notable symptoms that reflect a decline in cognitive ability include:
Apart from cognitive changes, a Dementia patient is most likely to exhibit psychological changes such as:
Types of Dementia Dementia can be attributed to a number of factors such as age and disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. More often than not, people above the age of 60 years are most likely to develop a type of Dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of Dementia that people develop, however, other types of Dementia also exist such as: Vascular Dementia Vascular Dementia is the most common after Alzheimer’s and is mainly caused due to a damage to blood vessels in specific areas of the brain. Lewy Body Dementia Lewy Body Dementia, as the name suggests, is caused due to lewy bodies, that are abnormal clumps of proteins found in the brain. Mixed Dementia When Vascular Dementia, Lewy body Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease coexist in patients, the condition is called Mixed Dementia. Treatment Though medical researchers are yet to find a permanent cure for Dementia, there are some treatments available to help a patient lead a normal life. Here are some of them. Medications Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to boost the level of chemical messengers involved in memory and judgement. Although Cholinesterase inhibitors are primarily used for treating Alzheimer’s disease, they are effective in treating Vascular Dementia, Parkinson’s disease Dementia and Lewy body Dementia, too. Other than Cholinesterase inhibitors, Memantine is also prescribed for Dementia patients. It works by regulating the activity of chemical messengers responsible for memory and learning. Therapy Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Cognitive Stimulation therapy helps strengthen memory, problem solving skills and language abilities of a Dementia patient. The therapy involves taking part in physical activities and exercises and is mostly effective for patients with mild or moderate levels of Dementia. Modification Therapy Though this is not a therapy, it acts like one. Modifying the surroundings of a Dementia patient can have a profound impact on their overall mental health. This may include hiding objects such as knives and tools that pose a physical threat to a patient or using a monitoring device that alerts you whenever Dementia starts showing any effect. Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy aims to combat behavioral problems that stem from Dementia such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and delusional thinking. It is supervised by a healthcare professional or a caregiver; however, family members living with the Dementia patient can also conduct behavioral therapy sessions. Prognosis Dementia is a disorder that progresses over time. The rate of progression can, however, be slowed down with medications and cognitive therapies. Dementia patients also require 24/7 care, given those bouts of frustration and unpredictable behavior. When someone in the family is diagnosed with Dementia, other commitments may take a backseat as the primary motive would then be to care for the person and help them lead a normal life. A caregiver from any reputable home health agencies in Dallas can help you meet the objective. |
Brooklyn
Brooklyn falls under the list of top home care assistants. Apart from being a healthcare expert and investing her time in working for renowned medical firms, she has a passion for writing too. She maintains a blog that talks extensively about home care assistance and healthcare. Archives
January 2018
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