With the UK’s elderly population growing rapidly, dementia is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis. Looking after a loved one with dementia can often be a physically and mentally overwhelming task. Ensure Care carers can help to ease the load for family members, as well as making a huge difference to our client’s quality of life.

Our dementia carers are all fully qualified specialists in this kind of care. Living with dementia can be a frustrating experience which can often result in challenging behaviours and confusion. Our carers are trained to deal with these situations in a professional yet sensitive manner. We know that familiarity is incredibly important at this time too, so our carers really take the time to get to know their client, ensuring we provide the best care possible.

What does dementia care involve? We’ll take on whatever tasks are needed. On the more practical side, our carers will assist with personal care including dressing, washing, grooming and mobility support as well as cooking and housekeeping. Carers also help to provide some companionship and emotional support too.

Specialised care from our team not only provides practical help, but also increases someone’s self-esteem and independence, allowing them to live a more fulfilled life. You can rest assured that your loved one will be in the best hands.

Why Familiarity is Key in Dementia Care

Familiarity is absolutely vital to reducing stress when someone has dementia. When someone’s brain is affected by dementia, they struggle to process new information that a healthy brain could take in very easily. With this struggle often comes negative emotions and outbursts. Ensuring familiar faces and routines in someone’s care can really help to reduce unnecessary stress.

Having a live-in carer, or even seeing the same few carers on a visiting basis is hugely important when someone has dementia. This way the person can stay in their own home with their partner or family members, keep hold of their personal belongings, keep pets and stick to their usual routines. Care at home means the client can build a strong bond and trust with their carer, which makes everyday life much easier for the client.

Spotting Signs of Early Onset Dementia

The term dementia is a set of symptoms that occur as a result of another disease, for example Alzheimer’s, which is probably the most commonly known cause. Different diseases affect the brain in different ways leading to slightly different symptoms and variations of dementia. With so many potential symptoms it can be difficult to look out for every single one, so there are a few main issues to look out for. These are:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Unusual mood changes
  • Confusion during conversations
  • Having trouble with usual daily tasks
  • Confusion over times and places
  • Memory loss

Everyone experiences dementia in a different way, so not all of the signs will necessarily be present. Lots of different things can cause issues with normal cognitive functions, in particular memory loss. Mental health problems including depression and anxiety, vitamin deficiencies and even some medication can have these kinds of effects. It’s important not to jump to conclusions. The best course of action is to talk with your loved one and arrange an appointment with their GP who will be able to help with a diagnosis and give more detailed advice.

What to Do If You Think Someone Has Dementia

If you’ve spotted these signs in someone you love, it’s important to get help from professionals. If you feel like your relative is really struggling with living at home independently, it can be a good idea to look into your care options whilst you’re waiting for a diagnosis.

You’ll need to ask your relative or friend whether they’ve also spotted any of the signs in themselves and how they feel about them. It’s important to do this at a time when the person is calm. Make sure you’re in a familiar environment and that you have lots of time to talk too. Many people are reluctant to see their GP about memory problems, so it might take more than one conversation to persuade them. It’s also a good idea to offer to join them for the GP appointment. This way you can be there to help them recall the problems they’ve been having, as well as providing them with some emotional support too.

Call us on 01926 431925 to find out more about our dementia care services.