A person experiencing memory loss is, at the least, confused. When we can’t remember and track what’s going on, it’s very confusing. And it can be scary!
Anger and fear are natural responses. People with dementia often don’t recognize they have a problem. They just know that the world is not as they expect it to be.
Personality changes are common, as are changes in behaviors as the disease progresses. For instance, people with middle-stage dementia frequently lose their social inhibitions. They forget the social customs we call manners. This can lead to actions that are embarrassing and very confusing for families.
Research indicates that caring for a person with memory loss is extremely stressful. A diagnosis of dementia, more than other conditions, takes its toll on the family.
Dementia caregivers are much more likely to be depressed. They also are more likely than other caregivers to develop significant health problems.
If your relative has dementia, you need to be extra careful to mind your own health. And you need to develop strategies for coping with stress.
Although working together as a team is optimal in eldercare, it can be challenging in the case of dementia.
In the earlier stages, it is important that the person with dementia be involved in decision making. As the disease progresses, however, they will lose the ability to make reasoned decisions. More than with other conditions, the role of the family will change.
Determining when and how to phase out responsibility for decision making can be difficult. An Aging Life Care™ Manager can give you a sense of the stage of dementia. They can help walk you through the formal diagnosis process. An Aging Life Care Manager can also help you find resources now and plan for the future.
Even if the memory loss condition is not curable, there are things you can do to make daily life more pleasant for all of you.
It’s very important that you reach out and get help. Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally taxing. Family members need patience, strength, and regular breaks from caregiving. Support groups can be extremely helpful for providing tips about daily life and coping with the stress. They can also tell you about other programs and sources of support.
People with dementia also need support and access to others who know what it’s like. Joining a support group of people with dementia during the early-stage is invaluable for them!
You don’t have to do this alone At Peacewell Care Consulting, we understand dementia. Give us a call at 516-731-0400. We’d be happy to help with resources for everyone in the family.
I’ve been a client of Peacewell since spring 2020. In short, Lori Costello and her team have been indispensable in caring for my mother by providing a plan that has evolved, as my mother’s dementia has gotten more severe. I live out of town, and by 2020 it became clear that if my mother was to stay in her home, she would need health aides. My mom would not acknowledge that she was having cognitive difficulties but was adamant about staying independently in her home. After discussing the situation with Lori, Lori visited with my mom and was able to convince my mom that she needed someone with her at night, which Peacewell quickly set up. As my mom’s condition worsened, we switched to 24-7 care and more frequent check-ins by a nursing care manager. Peacewell has facilitated all of this as well as taking care of weekly shopping and making suggestions for making the house safer for mom. Importantly, Peacewell is there to advise when changes in care levels are recommended. In addition, they have been instrumental in finding aides who could work with mom’s now severe dementia as well as setting up in-home medical visits when called for. Peacewell responds almost immediately to any issue, medical or logistical; it’s impossible to imagine how I would have been able to have mom safely cared for at home without Lori and Peacewell.
We have received personal care when we needed it most. It took a few tries to get the right fit for Mom, but Chris didn't stop until we did. Our family is so happy that Mom is happy with her caregivers.
Peacewell has been assisting my family the past couple of months and has been nothing short of perfect. Attentive, easy to schedule appointments and just a pleasure to deal with when needed.
Peacewell has been a miracle for me and my family. When your love ones get older and they need help to figure it all out, this group of loving people steps in to help. They make sure all the bases are covered. They help me and my family know what is needed and what Medicare covers. They have helped me navigate so my dad only get the best care and has the best life possibleI would and have recommended them to many friends and those I work with that need the guidance and help I need to help their loved ones.Allison H
