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Dementia Diagnosis
Admin • July 20, 2020
Five steps to take after a loved one has gotten a dementia diagnosis
A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating, not only to the patient, but also to the family. The idea that someone you love may begin to slip away can be frightening and overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to begin to plan for the challenges that lie ahead. Here are some tips that can help.
- Begin to develop a support system of family and friends who will be able to help with the demands of caring for a loved one with dementia. Make a list of people you can call to help when the need arises —this could be as simple as driving them to a doctor appointment to having someone spend the weekend tending to their needs. Find a support group in your area of people who are going through the same thing you are. Developing a strong support system will help ensure you have the time you need to take care of yourself, including eating right, getting enough exercise and sleep, and maintaining your social life.
- Get your loved one the medical help they need to continue to lead a purposeful life. Once a diagnosis of dementia has been made, if you haven’t already, you’ll probably want to see a neurologist, who is trained to diagnose and treat dementia. Although there is no known cure, there are several treatments available that may slow the symptoms. You may also want to enlist the services of a clinical neuropsychologist, who can assist with rehabilitation strategies, document cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and track the progression of the disease over time.
- Have your loved one make legal decisions while they’re still able. Your loved one should establish durable powers of attorney for both their medical and financial needs. When you make a medical power of attorney, your loved one appoints someone to make medical decisions of their behalf should they become too ill to speak for themselves. This is best combined with a living will or health care declaration that provides specific written instructions on what medical treatments are desired in various situations (e.g., do you want to be artificially fed if you’re in a vegetative state?). A financial power of attorney gives someone the authority to handle financial transactions on your loved one’s behalf.
- Become educated about the disease and what changes you can expect as the disease progresses. This will help you plan ahead as much as possible. Share this information with other family members, friends and coworkers, so they understand what is going on and can anticipate your loved one’s needs as well as your needs.
- Never lose sight of the person you love. No matter how the disease affects your loved one, it is important to treat them with dignity and respect. You will certainly see changes that may make it seem like you are losing them, but remember that they still have a need for companionship and belonging. Engage them in activities and interactions that bring them — and you — a sense of joy and celebration. Focus on the abilities that remain. This will go a long way in adding to the both your and your loved one’s quality of life and help them maintain a sense of self.
75% of caregivers do not outlive the person that they're caring for. Do you have an emergency action plan in place?
Dementia is a word used to describe a cluster symptoms caused by various diseases or conditions. Dementia itself is not a specific disease but a collection of symptoms, which can include:
Some of the greatest challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia are the personality and behavior changes that often occur as the disease progresses. These can show up as aggression, frustration, undressing in public, or a range of inappropriate conduct.
Bathing can be one of the activities of daily living that is most affected by dementia. There are many steps in the process of bathing which can seem very difficult for the person with dementia. Additionally, it is likely the person doesn’t remember the reason for bathing and it seems like an unnecessary intrusion into their day.
Mealtime for people with dementia can be stressful, overwhelming or frustrating. They may no longer recognize the food in front of them or can’t see it clearly because of poor depth perception. They may struggle to use a knife and fork as coordination becomes difficult. Food may not taste the same or as flavorful as it once did. Food may be difficult to chew or swallow or they may not want to accept assistance with eating. Appetites may also vary among individuals with dementia. Some will want to eat all the time, while others have trouble eating a healthy amount.
Getting dressed and feeling good about how we look is an important part of everyone’s self-esteem, but it is also something we typically do in private. Assisting someone who has dementia with dressing can be a challenge because it is something they are used to doing independently. Here are some general tips that may help you assist your loved one with dressing.
With the progression of dementia, your loved one may be experiencing incontinence. The changes in a person’s brain that occur with dementia can interfere with their ability to:
It’s natural for couples to experience changes in their level of intimacy and sexuality over time, but when one partner develops dementia, the changes in physical and emotional intimacy can be complex and devastating.
Holidays can pose a special challenge for caregivers of people with dementia. Loved ones may not remember the reason for the day or why you’re making such a fuss. This may be particularly hard on Father’s Day, when your dad may not even recognize you as their child. While this can be an emotional blow, making the effort still matters.
With the rise in Alzheimer’s disease and its special impact on women, more families are celebrating Mother’s Day with moms who have dementia. Nearly two-thirds of the Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. It’s not their gender that makes them more susceptible, it’s their greater life expectancy. Because women live longer and dementia tends to be a condition of the aged, they simply have more opportunity to get the disease.