Our retirement years are meant to be cherished and lived to the fullest, surrounded by the people we love while creating memories that last a lifetime. However, for some, these years may bring challenges, such as navigating the complexities of dementia-like symptoms.
At Élan Westpointe at New Braunfels, we believe that understanding the different types of dementia, the early warning signs, and how to manage them effectively is crucial for individuals and their families to maintain an enhanced lifestyle and meaningful relationships. Our team is sharing information on how you can navigate dementia-like symptoms in a family member.
What Exactly is Dementia?
According to the National Institute on Aging, “Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.”
Dementia is not a single disease but a general term encompassing several conditions affecting cognition. While it is known that dementia affects whoever is diagnosed, it also impacts the lives of their family members and friends.
The Different Types of Dementia
While dementia can take many forms, here are four common types that families should be aware of:
- Alzheimer’s Disease: The most prevalent type of dementia, characterized by memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior.
- Vascular Dementia: Often resulting from microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain, leading to cognitive impairments.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Identified by the presence of Lewy bodies (abnormal protein aggregates) in the brain cells, affecting cognition and movement.
- Frontotemporal Dementia: Affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, influencing personality, behavior, and language.
Recognizing Dementia-Like Symptoms
It’s crucial to understand that the following symptoms don’t automatically mean dementia but warrant a professional assessment if they’re new, worsening, or causing concern.
- Memory loss affecting daily tasks: Individuals may forget important dates or events, repeatedly ask for the same information, and increasingly need memory aids.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Once easy Tasks, such as managing finances or making a cup of tea, become challenging.
- Confusion with time or place: People may lose track of dates and seasons or forget where they are or how they got there.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: This can lead to problems with driving, reading, or judging distance, posing a risk of accidents.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing: Individuals might have difficulty following or joining a conversation, stop in the middle of a conversation, or repeat themselves.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: They may put things in unusual places and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again, which might lead to accusations of stealing.
Strategies to Navigate Dementia-Like Symptoms
For individuals navigating changes due to aging or conditions like dementia, emphasizing what’s still achievable plays a crucial role in their well-being. Keeping a regular schedule, engaging in social programs, and leading a healthy lifestyle not only enhances their lifestyle but also helps them retain their cognitive and physical abilities longer.
Empathy and understanding become indispensable. To support your family member effectively, consider the following tips:
- Communicate Clearly and Listen Actively: Use simple, direct language and give them time to process information. Ensure you’re making eye contact and paying attention to non-verbal cues, which can often convey more than words.
- Create Safe Surroundings: Minimize risks in the home by removing tripping hazards, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and ensuring good lighting. Consider technology like fall detectors or GPS devices for additional safety.
- Encourage Independence: Empower them to do as much as they can independently, whether it’s dressing themselves or participating in household chores. This maintains their self-esteem and physical mobility.
- Seek Out Resources: Look for local support groups for your family member and yourself. Research organizations specializing in aging or dementia care for advice, respite care, and coping strategies.
- Consider Memory Care: Our memory care community in New Braunfels is committed to providing person-centered support that offers signature programs, a low caregiver-to-resident ratio, and team members trained to anticipate the needs of each resident.
Additionally, integrating technology can play a supportive role. Use apps and devices designed for memory enhancement and routine reminders. Engage your family member in brain-stimulating hobbies like puzzles, reading, and music that can provide both entertainment and cognitive benefits.
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Being informed and prepared can make a world of difference for families facing the challenges of dementia-like symptoms. Early intervention and a support network can transform a difficult path into one navigated with love, understanding, and patience. For those walking this path, remember you are not alone. We encourage you to contact our team at Élan Westpointe at New Braunfels for more information about to navigate dementia-like symptoms or to schedule a tour of our memory care community in New Braunfels, Texas.
