Is your loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia?

Dementia affects 4-5 million Americans and their families. Most of the cases of dementia are a form of Alzheimer’s Disease. Seeing someone close to you with dementia is an emotionally taxing experience. The important thing to know is that you’re not alone.

Keep reading to learn more about living with dementia.

Common Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia is essentially trauma or disease that happens to the brain.

There are many symptoms of dementia, and it’s possible to confuse these symptoms with normal memory loss.

For example, you loved one may have a slight memory loss, but still is active and social. A person living with Alzheimer’s may become more isolated and may be socially inappropriate.

Mood changes are also a common symptom of dementia, and they may become easily disoriented.

There are several different forms of dementia, with about 70% of cases being Alzheimer’s Disease. There’s also vascular dementia, which can result from small strokes. Mixed dementia is a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Everyday Living

Living with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia can be extremely difficult.

Safety is always a priority for your loved one. You’ll want to make sure that the home environment is safe. It’s common for people with dementia to wander, which is why a locating device could be a good investment.

It’s important to understand that having a regular routine can help people with dementia maintain their independence. This includes reminders to eat and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

If you find that your loved one is struggling with basic tasks, chunk it down into sections that can be completed with ease.

Understanding Discomfort and Meltdowns

As dementia progresses, your loved one may have trouble communicating when they’re uncomfortable. They may lash out because of this.

The most common causes of discomfort are lack of sleep, disruptions in their routine, an unfamiliar environment, illness or injury, or being in the same seated position.

You can head these issues off by keeping your loved one comfortable as possible. That includes making sure the temperature isn’t too hot or cold. It’s also very important to keep your loved one on a regular routine.

Get Support

While you’re caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s, it’s easy to forget about caring for yourself. Caregivers often find themselves in a great deal of stress and suffer from burnout.

That’s why it’s critical to seek support. There are support groups online and in-person that meet regularly. You can also lean on your friends and other family members for support.

You may decide to choose to have your loved one live in a senior care facility.

You do need to make sure that you’re getting the support you need so you can ensure that you loved one is getting the care they need.

Living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

It’s very difficult to see someone you love live with Alzheimer’s or dementia. At some point, you may need to consider a senior living facility that can handle these challenges.

At Maple Heights Senior Living, our community is designed to provide the best assisted living and memory care for your loved one.

Contact us today to schedule a tour.