As people age, it is not uncommon to have the occasional memory loss or trouble finding the right words to say during a conversation, especially at the age of fifty and older.
But if a loved one begins to show consistent symptoms of difficulty with cognition, performing everyday tasks, and memory, this might be a sign that something more serious is going on such as dementia. A medical diagnosis is required to determine if a patient has dementia.
Dementia is a condition that affects the brain and makes it difficult to control emotions. This can lead to personality changes and begin to interfere with daily life activities. Dementia can also diminish focus, language skills, and visual perception.
6 Early Warning Signs of Dementia
- Difficulty with daily tasks. If a loved one finds it challenging to keep up with monthly bills, follow a recipe, concentrate on tasks, or begin to take much longer to finish a task.
- Communication concerns. If a loved one begins to have trouble engaging or following along in conversations, stops abruptly in the middle of a thought, or has difficulty finding the correct words to use.
- Repetition speaking. If a loved one asks the same question or repeats the same story over and over.
- Change in personality. If a loved one becomes anxious, confused, fearful, gets easily upset, or loses interest in activities.
- Change in behavior. If a loved one begins to experience poor judgment regularly when handling money or if their hygiene becomes neglected.
- Memory loss. If a loved one has difficulty with visual abilities causing them to be confused when they can’t remember how they got someplace.
It is estimated that approximately 5 million Americans are living with dementia. Dementia is constantly changing and progressively worsens because at least two parts of the brain are dying, making it an incurable condition.
But, developing a predictable routine and schedule for a loved one diagnosed with dementia does help them function somewhat better, which an in-home care service is equipped to provide as often as needed.
As the condition worsens with memory, the in-home care service will provide memory care for your elderly family member. This provides a patient with a safe environment to lower their stress level in the comfort of their home.
Some of the in-home care services offered for dementia patients include:
Consultation
This gives an in-home care service provider the opportunity to learn about a loved one’s history in detail so that a memory care plan can be tailored to their specific needs.
Care plan schedule
A schedule is formulated around a loved one’s routine and will include either part-time, full-time, or 24/7 caregiving services.
Professional Caregiver
An in-home care service will match a loved one with the right caregiver who is knowledgeable and a good fit for the patient. Professional caregivers typically possess common traits in order to provide the best service to an aging loved one.
Home Instead is a local in-home care service in the Lafayette, LA, area that can provide relief for families who have loved ones diagnosed with dementia.
We provide the highest quality care for individuals with early-stage, mid-stage, or late-stage dementia. We are committed to making caregiving more manageable so families can spend quality time with their loved ones.
4 Common Types of Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
This is the most common type of dementia that involves going back to earlier days because the present is no longer remembered. It is a slow process where long-term memory remains strong while short-term memory dissipates. Formulating a memory care plan can help to give patients the best support possible during their struggles with Alzheimer’s.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
This is also a very common type of dementia that is known as LBD (Lewy Bodies Dementia). LBD is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed and is described as a combination of Parkinson’s symptoms with Alzheimer’s. It has one main identifying factor, which is visual hallucinations, usually of children and animals that are not upsetting to the patient.
Frontotemporal Dementia
This is also known as FTD which occurs when there is deterioration to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. FTD causes problems with language and significant changes in personality and behavior.
Vascular Dementia
This is sometimes called Post Stroke Dementia because it is brain damage that is traced back to cardiovascular problems or mini-strokes that cause harm to the brain. The most noticeable symptoms are when drastic changes occur immediately following a stroke.
Each type of dementia has a different cause, so each progresses differently. If you have a loved one struggling with dementia, or if you are in need of a professional caregiver in the Lafayette, LA, area, contact Home Instead today at 337-282-2350.
Home Instead knows how important the caregiver-client relationship is, so matching you and your loved one with the right compassionate caregiver is a priority.
Let Home Instead make life for you and your loved one as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Help is just a phone call away.
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