Finding out a loved one has dementia

Finding out a loved one has dementia can be very difficult to come to terms with. As well as realising the one you care for is becoming less of the person they were, you also have to come to terms with the fact that you now have to take responsibility for someone who has suddenly become helpless. Watching a loved one develop dementia can be a very distressing time, as your loved one loses their ability to perform simple everyday tasks they were once capable of performing independently. This is also intensified as the patient progressively begins to lose any reminisce of their former personality. Patients with dementia, on top of their loss of memory can become violent and emotional; this can even go as far as developing psychosis.

In treating these symptoms of behavioural and intellectual debilitation, carers may resort to medicinal treatment which can include anxiety drugs, anti-depressants and drugs treatable for psychosis. Unfortunately there is no cure for dementia and although these symptoms can reduce the symptoms they will not dramatically change the situation faced in front of the carer. It is worthwhile to establish the extent of your loved ones diagnosed condition. This is important to eliminate any elements of danger in their everyday life. Depending on how aggressive the dementia is, it may be worthwhile to establish their ability to perform everyday tasks such as cooking or driving which could become dangerous to a person with severe dementia.

Not only can it affect their ability to perform everyday tasks, but if they suffer from chronic pain it can affect their quality of life. If someone is suffering from chronic pain their level of social interaction and enjoyment will be hindered. It is also the case that people who suffer from dementia have trouble expressing the extent and cause of the chronic pain, which can lead to the patient becoming isolated and feeling low. This is why it is paramount that the carer asses the level of suffering their loved one has and tries to treat them with as much care as they require. A carer should take note of their loved ones expressions, actions and mannerisms to determine if they are suffering unnecessarily. 

Depending on the extent of your loved ones suffering, carer’s may need to consider their role more extensively. If they have another job, the needs of their patient may not be met and they may need to consider sending them to adult care homes. There is also the option of hiring trained staff two can provide care one on one in the comfort of the patients home. Although it generally depends on the circumstances of the care-giver and their abilities it has been found that dementia sufferers that are a cared for at home by a spouse or family member generally seem to delay the symptoms and can sometimes exclude the need hire full time care.

Although being in familiar surroundings may benefit the patient, this can sometimes be a huge financial and emotional burden on a spouse or relative. It may be that the carer has to quit their professional position in order to spare the time to take care of the patient who can no longer conduct everyday tasks by themselves. The emotional stress this can cause to a loved one can be all consuming sometimes, as you watch someone you love deteriorate in front of your eyes. It is not uncommon for family members to experience the stages of grief while their loved one is still alive. It can be a hard decision to let someone else take over the care of someone you love and this can sometimes induce feelings of guilt.

It is important that the carer accept that caring for a loved one is a massive endeavour and that they should seek the appropriate support or advice if they feel the emotional stress becomes overbearing.

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