DEMENTIA CARE


If you do start to notice any patterns, whether someone is frequently forgetting the names of people they know, or is unable to recall recent events or new information learned, it’s best to get them checked out by a doctor.


CHANGES IN MOOD


Frequent mood swings can be another indication as an individual may begin to get frustrated with themselves, sometimes without obvious cause or reason. This can mean a person’s mood quickly changing from calm to angry or emotional without reason, or if they become generally more withdrawn or anxious.


FINDING IT HARD TO CARRY OUT REGULAR


DAILY TASKS If you’ve noticed that your client or family member has recently started finding it hard to carry out regular daily tasks, like forgetting how to cook their favourite recipe that they have made countless times, or struggling to count their money in a supermarket – these could all be signs of dementia.


CONFUSION SURROUNDING TIME


AND PLACE Another distressing sign of dementia can be confusion around time and place. While many people can wander into a room and forget what they went in for, this is on a much more advanced level.


For example, your elderly family member might become lost on a street they have walked down their whole life and struggle to find their way home. Differently, your loved one might get confused about time, being unable to distinguish between their past and present. This could include confusing family members with people from their past, like their own parents, and struggling to remember people from their present, like their grandchildren.


HOW TO HELP SOMEONE DISPLAYING


SIGNS OF DEMENTIA? The first step is to help your family member or client get a diagnosis from a specialist.


In order to be referred to a specialist, you will need to make a GP appointment where the doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms. It’s always best to accompany the person displaying early signs of dementia to the appointment, as you might notice changes or issues that they themselves haven’t, or simply because they might have trouble remembering any information given by the GP.


The doctor will usually do a physical examination, a type of memory test, and may even want to send bloodwork or urine off for results, to help rule out other things that can contribute to memory loss.”


Once seen by a GP, if the doctor thinks the patient needs to be referred, they can visit one or multiple specialists including a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or geriatrician.


This will oſten include more memory tests, tests to assess thinking abilities and problem-solving, and scans like a CT scan or MRI.


twitter.com/TomorrowsCare HELP COME TO TERMS WITH THE DIAGNOSIS


People suffering from early signs of dementia may struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis, or have more questions or concerns that they want to be answered. There are a number of dementia charities and support lines that can provide some comfort during this difficult time.


• Alzheimer's Research UK can be contacted at 0300 111 511 to answer any questions and provide information about dementia, to help family members better understand it.


• Alzheimer's Society also provides a support line called the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456. This helpline gives out advice about suffering from dementia and can help to clear up any worries that your loved one might have.


• Dementia UK helpline can be reached at 0800 888 6678 and offers information, advice and support from specialist admiral nurses.


DECIDING THE LEVEL OF CARE


If you are concerned that your loved one is struggling to deal with everyday tasks and is no longer able to live alone, it’s important to contact social services to request a needs assessment.


This assessment will determine the type of help the person living with dementia will require, whether it’s carers visiting the home or whether they’ll need to go into more permanent care. There will also be a financial assessment to determine how much your family member or your family will need to contribute.


CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME


If your loved one can no longer care for themselves and needs to be moved into a care home, it’s vital that you choose one that both you and your family member are happy with, to avoid any upset in the transition.


A high-quality and carefully selected care home can not only


provide a safe environment with trained carers on hand for someone living with dementia, but it can also provide many home comforts that make your loved one feel at ease during this difficult time.


There are a number of questions you can ask or elements to consider to make sure you are choosing the right care home, such as:


• The carer-to-resident ratio; • What the policy is on visiting; • Enquiring about the meals and timings; • Ensuring well-maintained facilities; • What activities are available; •


If there’s an outside area or garden accessible for residents;


• The comfort and standard of the rooms; • Staff training for residents with dementia;


• What the daily routines are like and how flexible these are to each resident; and


• If there’s a TV, radio or a quieter space like a reading room. www.baycroſt.co.uk - 39 -


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