A friend of mine has been diagnosed
with dementia. So, I started looking for what to expect as he progresses
through the disease and found these guidelines expert Dr. Heather Palmer,
National Director of Cognitive Well-Being for Amica. They are general in scope but
gives an idea of what to look for and expect.
Safety
“I’d be evaluating if the
parent is able to go about daily life in their environment in a way that’s not going
to cause any harm or injury,” says Dr. Palmer. Can your mom manage the stove?
If not, what safety precautions can be put in place to enable her to use the
kitchen, but not be in danger? “Safety factors should be considered in every
room,” says Dr. Palmer.
Wandering
Is your parent going out at 3
a.m.? It is common for people with dementia to confuse day and night and to
wander or try to leave their environment. “When a person is feeling anxious
because he believes he is late for work, you should know how to offer support
by safely redirecting and reassuring him,” says Dr. Palmer.
Eating
Is your parent getting proper
nutrition?
“Eating habits in someone
with dementia can change quickly,” says Dr. Palmer. They may forget to eat,
have changing taste preferences or not feel hunger. Others may require ongoing
prompting because of confusion around how to use utensils.
Socializing
Research consistently points
to the importance of social interaction to help slow cognitive decline. How are
social opportunities being maintained for your loved one: Is someone visiting
every day? Is the person seeing friends or staying home with very little
interaction?
Hygiene
Is your loved one able to
brush their teeth, comb their hair or bathe? If they’re living with a spouse,
is the spouse able to help?
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