Caring for someone who has Dementia

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a condition that impairs a person’s cognitive abilities. However, this isn’t the same as the normal levels of cognitive deterioration that are associated with simply ageing. Sometimes, dementia can have a progressive effect due to the disease or damage it causes. However, it can also remain the same if the person who has dementia has a brain injury. Most cases of Dementia present themselves in the elderly, however it can also happen prior to the ageing process and this is known as early onset dementia. In a country that has an ageing population, like here in the UK, we are all reading that the numbers of people suffering from dementia are likely and will increase. Therefore, for what lies ahead it is in my opinion essential that people have a clear understanding of what dementia is, and how people suffering from it can be treated and helped to live as normal as possible. The World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics suggest that the worldwide number of dementia sufferers was approximately 35.6 million in 2010 and is set to rise by around 70% by the year 2050. If dementia is diagnosed early, then certain steps can be taken in order to help ensure that the dementia sufferer can have an improved quality of life, by using certain dementia aids. It is important for the patient to be helped to try and retain as much of their independence as possible, in order to help the dementia patient feel they are still in control of their lives. And also to ease the pressure on those who are caring for them. One way in which life can be made easier for the dementia patient and the carer is the use of dementia aids and dementia products. These products are designed to stand out to the patient, so that they know what the items are and what they are used for.

What Dementia Aids are available? There are various dementia aids available that will help those providing care to a dementia patients and help the sufferers cope better with the condition include:

Memory boxes – These are becoming increasingly popular and are designed to keep things that have a meaning to the patient from aspects of their lifetime as a way for those caring for them to jog their memory about the past and have things to use as a conversation starter. Toileting Aids – In order to help those with dementia have a better ability to keep their independence. Toilet aids such as brightly coloured toilets seats can help your patients remember what needs to take place. Similarly other Toilet aids in the bathroom such as grab rails and other mobility aids can help those who struggle with their mobility.

Incontinence Products – One side effect of dementia can be incontinence – in order to ease the embarrassment of this condition, incontinence products are available which allow the patient to carry on with life as normal as possible, in a dignified manner.