Friday, November 22, 2019

Dementia diagnoses what next?


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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