LIFESTYLE NEWS - Considering that according to the World Health Organisation, the 50million or more people living with Dementia worldwide can triple by 2050, and this is a disease that should not be taken lightly.
Dementia is an umbrella term that has various forms of Dementia under it.
Understanding them all is quite a daunting task, but thankfully there are simple and easy ways to relieve the side effects of this disease. There should be taken into account which aspect of the disease you are dealing with. Dementia is progressive and irreversible, but the good news is that there are various non-medical interventions and activities that can be utilised. Research shows that if one focuses on the 5 senses and movement, then you have a great starting point that will help you understand what happens with Dementia patients.
Starting off with Sight, if left untreated, poor vision can lead towards a higher risk of developing Dementia and it could speed up the process of cognitive decline. A person with Dementia might not be able to distinguish between colours anymore, and they might not recognise family and friends anymore. They can lose their depth perception and this could also result in a fall risk, so stairs should be clearly marked with reflective tape. Walls and floors should have different colours for them, to distinguish where the one starts and the other stops. Keep in mind that the person with Dementia might still have good eyesight, but the brain’s ability to process the stimuli is deteriorating.
Moving to Touch, a person with Dementia might lose their sensory abilities and might not be able to feel if water, food or if a stove plate is warm. The inability to identify the different sensations of touch, may lead them to not wanting to be touched. Agnosia is a condition that affects all the senses and makes it impossible for the Dementia patient to identify things for what it is.This could lead them to resisting bathing or washing.
Moving to Taste, a person with Dementia may lose their sense of taste and would not be aware that they are consuming spoilt food. Sensitivity to taste can diminish and this may lead them by putting scented items in their mouths, keep away items such as the shampoo and perfume. The loss of taste and smell go hand in hand by affecting each other. When the Dementia patient can no longer process the senses of taste and smell, they could stop enjoying food and this may lead to malnourishment.
Moving to Smell, when the sense of smell starts to diminish, smelling smoke (or if something is burning) might disappear and with this comes with various red flags. The nose can still smell, but the ability of the brain to process what they smell diminishes. As with taste, eating could become less pleasurable.
Moving to Hearing, a Dementia patient’s hearing may still be good, but the brain might not process the sounds accurately. This can lead to confusion and anxiety, if they cannot identify sounds around them. It can also cause agitation or even over stimulation. A calm and relaxing environment, where you speak to the Dementia patient slowly and calmly is ideal. If a Dementia patient withdraws from conversations and becomes isolated, it could be that the loss of hearing is already progressive.
Movement is also very important for people of all ages but also for Dementia patients. They might have reduced control of their muscles and this can result in slower movement, which also increases the risk of falling. Difficulty with movement after sitting or standing still is common. Dementia affects coordination and balance and this can cause jerky movements which can cause them to fall or stumble. When a Dementia patient moves around restlessly, this usually is a sign of a need that has not been met; don’t ask them to sit down, rather explore what the need is which is unmet. It is very important that a person living with Dementia is assisted to keep muscles working and as flexible as possible. Physiotherapy can also be a good idea for specialised exercises to build muscle tone.
If we all educate ourselves about Dementia, we might not be able to cure it, but we can surely make life a bit more bearable for our loved ones living with Dementia. Hopefully then this will become the norm and when you maybe get Dementia, there will be a circle of knowledge and support waiting for you.
