Dementia is a degenerative disease that affects a person’s capacity to perform basic functions such as self-care, remembering things, and holding a basic conversation. The right time to intervene and increase carer tasks is never an easy question to answer, and each patient is different in terms of how things progress. However, some key signs to look out for are discussed in the guide below.
A Noticeable Neglect of Self-Care
Self-care is a wide scope in that it dictates a whole manner of aspects. Personal hygiene is top of the list, but there are considerations for general maintenance of a patient’s surroundings. When the person with dementia is showing signs of no longer being able to keep up with tasks like housework, cooking, and independent social tasks like shopping, this indicates that input is needed. Unfortunately, another common sign that they may need help is a decreased physical appearance as well, owing to a lack of bathing, grooming, and even eating correctly. There are dignity factors here, but practical ones too, and sometimes enlisting help is the only option to maintain a sense of autonomy.
Eating and Drinking Difficulties
Dementia is detrimental to many basic functions that we otherwise take for granted. One of these is the impact on eating and drinking. Firstly, those afflicted can often forget to eat or drink, which leads to malnutrition and dehydration. This is dangerous, especially for elderly patients, and will inevitably lead to hospitalization, which then causes further stress and consequential deterioration.
Secondly, a common occurrence in this area is dysphagia. This condition affects the ability to swallow and ingest food or drink, which means external management is necessary. Carers will be up to date with what works best and how products can help in this area if dysphagia begins to affect the quality of life. However, if you are new to this, some go-to options have proven beneficial, and if you want to find out where to buy Simply Thick supplements to make eating and drinking easier, and soothe symptoms of a loved one, check out the link.
Increased Episodes of Confusion
Episodes of confusion and disorientation are common and pose a significant risk to the patient. For example, the person in question takes a walk to the shop. Along the way, their thoughts become cloudy, and their mind wanders, taking the body along for the ride. Then, all of a sudden, an hour has passed, and they wake up from the brain fog with no idea where they are, why they are there, or how they got there. Unfortunately, this majorly distressing incident is commonplace, especially in the later stages of this disease. When this begins to happen, there are safety concerns, and intervention becomes essential.
Conclusion
There are valid reasons to intervene with the care needs of a dementia patient, especially when the condition reaches a peak. However, safety is the top priority, and comfort and dignity are always relevant.
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