What is Dementia?
Dementia refers to a global decline in cognitive capacities to such an extent that the daily living is greatly affected. Dementia includes, but is not restricted to, memory loss.
Other capacities compromised are language, communication skills, perception, judgement and reasoning. Dementia can be either reversible or irreversible - reversible dementia has an acute onset and can be cured by treating the 'cause'. Irreversible dementia has a more prolonged onset and doesn't have a cure although efforts can be made to manage it. Alzheimer's is the major cause for irreversible
Dementia refers to a global decline in cognitive capacities to such an extent that the daily living is greatly affected. Dementia includes, but is not restricted to, memory loss.
Other capacities compromised are language, communication skills, perception, judgement and reasoning. Dementia can be either reversible or irreversible - reversible dementia has an acute onset and can be cured by treating the 'cause'. Irreversible dementia has a more prolonged onset and doesn't have a cure although efforts can be made to manage it. Alzheimer's is the major cause for irreversible
There is no one way to 'prevent' dementia, but one can certainly aim at
eliminating the risk factors. Help guide elaborates on 6 pillars of a
healthy brain-body
1.Regular exercise
2.Healthy diet
3.Mental stimulation
4.Quality sleep
5.Stress management
6.An active social life
Develop a routine
A routine is important as it also acts as an aid for orienting the elderly.
Do-away with Distractions
Eliminate all distractions from the environment; it is important to make their living place elderly-proof.
Bear a Positive demeanour
When communicating with the elderly, be careful of your tone and body language. Attempt to make them feel comfortable and loved.
Clear Communication
Say exactly what you mean! A person with dementia will most have compromised capacities of abstract thinking and hence maybe unable to decipher even the most common metaphors.
Provide choices
Try to restrict open-ended questions. Provide choices when you ask a question. 'Did you like the Rafi or Ghulam Ali ?' works better than 'Which was your favourite music band?'. It is important to provide them with memory cues, it makes conversation less stressful.
Be observant
It is important to take cues from their body language as they may not always be able to communicate what they are feeling.
Be helpful but not judgemental
It is common for the elderly to be unable to recall a sentence or a word. Be patient. You may suggest but do so non-judgementally.
Demonstrate
When providing them with instructions also demonstrate as you speak. This aids better comprehension.
Make the environment Dementia-friendly
Get a digital clock instead of an analogue one, a calender where the date can be marked, put up a family chart with pictures, etc. These simple changes go a long way in aiding the memory.
Delve into past-interests
Fish out your grand-father's favourite songs and play them for him or read him books by his favourite author.
Games are great
Try engaging the elderly in board games, card-games, even computer games if they're comfortable. Even the age-old 'Xs and Os' is a great way to stimulate the brain and jogs quite a few cognitive capacities.
Pictures and Videos
Browse through old family albums and videos. Most people with Dementia still have their long-term memory more or less intact, hence this won't be stressful but will provide the much needed jog for their memory.
Watch out for stress
Do keep an eye out for any stress that they experience and try to eliminate it.
Train the staff
Sometimes the elderly might require staff to assist them in their daily chores. It is important that the staff is well-briefed about the elderly's condition. You might also have to occasionally lend an empathetic ear to the staff's problems.
Do not ignore your self
While you may want to do everything under the sky for your beloved, it is important that you also monitor your own health and mental well-being. Do take time out occasionally.
Seek Respite Care
You can always turn to organisations and support groups that may work with you for your beloved. Epoch Elder Care is one such organisation that aims to achieve a plateau with the decline and provides respite care.
Empathy and understanding are key principles when dealing with someone who has Dementia. It is important to be patient, yet observant. Helping your loved ones feel useful and competent will render them with a greater sense of happiness, autonomy and control.
Source : TOI , 8th April 2013
1.Regular exercise
2.Healthy diet
3.Mental stimulation
4.Quality sleep
5.Stress management
6.An active social life
Develop a routine
A routine is important as it also acts as an aid for orienting the elderly.
Do-away with Distractions
Eliminate all distractions from the environment; it is important to make their living place elderly-proof.
Bear a Positive demeanour
When communicating with the elderly, be careful of your tone and body language. Attempt to make them feel comfortable and loved.
Clear Communication
Say exactly what you mean! A person with dementia will most have compromised capacities of abstract thinking and hence maybe unable to decipher even the most common metaphors.
Provide choices
Try to restrict open-ended questions. Provide choices when you ask a question. 'Did you like the Rafi or Ghulam Ali ?' works better than 'Which was your favourite music band?'. It is important to provide them with memory cues, it makes conversation less stressful.
Be observant
It is important to take cues from their body language as they may not always be able to communicate what they are feeling.
Be helpful but not judgemental
It is common for the elderly to be unable to recall a sentence or a word. Be patient. You may suggest but do so non-judgementally.
Demonstrate
When providing them with instructions also demonstrate as you speak. This aids better comprehension.
Make the environment Dementia-friendly
Get a digital clock instead of an analogue one, a calender where the date can be marked, put up a family chart with pictures, etc. These simple changes go a long way in aiding the memory.
Delve into past-interests
Fish out your grand-father's favourite songs and play them for him or read him books by his favourite author.
Games are great
Try engaging the elderly in board games, card-games, even computer games if they're comfortable. Even the age-old 'Xs and Os' is a great way to stimulate the brain and jogs quite a few cognitive capacities.
Pictures and Videos
Browse through old family albums and videos. Most people with Dementia still have their long-term memory more or less intact, hence this won't be stressful but will provide the much needed jog for their memory.
Watch out for stress
Do keep an eye out for any stress that they experience and try to eliminate it.
Train the staff
Sometimes the elderly might require staff to assist them in their daily chores. It is important that the staff is well-briefed about the elderly's condition. You might also have to occasionally lend an empathetic ear to the staff's problems.
Do not ignore your self
While you may want to do everything under the sky for your beloved, it is important that you also monitor your own health and mental well-being. Do take time out occasionally.
Seek Respite Care
You can always turn to organisations and support groups that may work with you for your beloved. Epoch Elder Care is one such organisation that aims to achieve a plateau with the decline and provides respite care.
Empathy and understanding are key principles when dealing with someone who has Dementia. It is important to be patient, yet observant. Helping your loved ones feel useful and competent will render them with a greater sense of happiness, autonomy and control.
Source : TOI , 8th April 2013
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