Coping With The Frustration Caused By Not Understanding Dementia
Dementia isn’t simply a condition that impacts one’s brain. It is also the cause for great concern and heartache for the many loved ones of the individuals suffering from its symptoms. Naturally, it can be incredibly frustrating to cope with someone who has dementia. In fact, here at Senior Homecare, we have a lot of experience working with clients who question whether or not their loved ones are putting on an act.
It is not uncommon to hear such complaints as “I just told him to get ready five minutes ago and he acted like I didn’t say anything” or “It’s like dealing with a 5 year-old!” Without question, providing care to dementia sufferers can be a gruelling process.
It’s important to educate yourself about dementia.
Dementia comes in many forms. And the symptoms of the condition can be worsened by a variety of factors including social isolation and depression. By understanding the real issue that the sufferer in your life is dealing with, you’ll be able to determine the right care objectives for both short and long term care.
One step to take would be to contact the Calgary chapter of Alzheimer’s Society. They offer assistance in person, by phone and even by email. There are also workshops available for caregivers who wish to learn more about dementia and how to manage behaviour changes. Alzheimer’s Society Calgary understands that caring for a person with dementia can be overwhelming. They are a great source of help and support.
Ignoring the symptoms of dementia can be very dangerous.
Getting a full geriatric assessment ordered by a doctor is of extreme importance for the safety and well-being of your family member with dementia. It’s really the only way to determine the rate of mental decline and the level of care that is needed. Without it, you could be putting your loved one and many others at risk.
We were once informed of one of our clients having purchased a new car following a dementia diagnosis. This was troubling news considering this individual was prone to getting lost on his own one floor patio home. Eventually, the city police had pulled him for weaving in and out of lanes and discovered he wasn’t sure where he was or where he was going. It is vital that the symptoms of dementia be taken very seriously. This particular story could have had a much worse ending.
Know that you are not alone.
As part of CBC’s series of short documentaries, The Caregivers’ Club is scheduled for a national broadcast on Sunday, August 12th at 9:00 p.m. (check your local time), but is currently available for viewing on the CBC website. The title of this particular doc refers to the “club no one wants to join”.
“Coping with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is so much more difficult than dealing with a physical ailment, in large part because you never know what the loved one is thinking or going to do next,” reads the article associated with the film, “The great gift of human communication is extinguished. One caregiver calls it a ‘big gaping hole of unknown.’ People ask ‘Does he recognize you?’ Caregivers often have no idea.”
The Senior Homecare team has many years of experience working with families who require assistance caring for their members who have dementia. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help you.
Call us at 403-862-0129 or toll-free at 1-877-209-6142 or visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form, we would be happy to reach out to you!
~ Senior Homecare by Angels Calgary team