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Dealing With Dementia Dementia care can be daunting, but the right support and assistance makes this tough job a little bit easier
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here are some 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers predicted to rise to over one million in 2025 and two million by 2050—and for every patient with dementia, it’s important to realise that behind them is a grieving family caring for their loved ones. While the care-giving journey can be rewarding, it’s certain that it can be an overwhelming challenge. Educating yourself about dementia and doing your best to maintain a positive but realistic attitude allows you an element of control as a care-giver. It can take the sting out of surprising challenges, while also improving the care you provide.
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Understanding dementia The course dementia takes can vary widely from person to person, influenced by factors like age and type of disease, but it generally follows a three-stage pattern. When dementia is first noticed, it’s typically in the early stages, when it can be classed as mild dementia. In this stage, patients may have difficulty remembering words and names, learning and remembering new information, and planning and managing complicated 124 | Live to 100 with Dr Hilary Jones
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activities such as driving. They may also be experiencing sadness, anxiety, loss of interest in activities and other symptoms of major depression. In moderate dementia, judgement, physical function and sensory processing are typically affected. This can cause problems with personal hygiene, inappropriate language and wandering. As a patient moves from mild to moderate dementia, some home modifications are often needed. These may include removal of throw rugs, installation of locks and safety latches, the addition of a commode in the bedroom and the fitting of utility safety cutoffs such as SGN's free gas cooker locking valve (sgn.co.uk/LCV). The final stage is severe dementia, where the patient suffers from extensive
Worldwide, women with dementia outnumber men two to one. Researchers hypothesise this may be because women live statistically longer than men.
memory loss, limited or no mobility, and possibly physical difficulties in swallowing and bowel and bladder control. At this stage, there may be need for around-the-clock care.
Support for caregivers You may not think of yourself as a carer, particularly if the person with dementia is a partner, parent or close friend—it can be easy to diminish in your mind the actual amount of work you’re doing, since it’s for a loved one. But both you and the person with dementia will need support to cope with the symptoms and changes in behaviour. The first thing to do is make sure you’re registered as a carer with your GP. After that, you can get a carer’s assessment—a free assessment available to anyone over 18 that will recommend and connect you to services that will make your life easier. Carer’s Allowance, amounting to £64.60 a week, is the main state benefit for carers, and is available anyone who provides more than 35 hours a week. Other benefits include Carer’s Credit, where a National Insurance contribution is made for you to help make sure you don’t lose out on social security benefits celebrityangels.co.uk
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