Saturday 5 November 2016

The Three Stages of Dementia

Dementia: The Three Stages and What to Expect


Researchers who have been studying dementia have found that it tends to progress in three stages. These stages are early, middle and late-stage dementia. It is important to know what is typical at each stage, so caregivers will know what to expect and be prepared to meet the most urgent needs of their loved one as the illness progresses.


Early Dementia


Early dementia can be described as a stage in which the person is starting to show signs of a loss of mental acuities, such as a poor memory or inability to do tasks they once found easy. At this stage, they are still able to function more or less independently.


It is important to note that many things, such as medications, stress and a lack of sleep, can all affect our memories, so it will be important to rule these out first. One of the best ways to do this is to keep track in a journal of any significant changes which might point to actual dementia as the cause.


The Second Stage


The second stage of dementia is characterized by the symptoms in stage one getting progressively worse, to the point where the person will require more help with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as washing and getting dressed. They might also exhibit behavioral changes, such as confusion, anxiety or even withdrawal from others because they are embarrassed.


The Late Stage


The late stage of dementia will usually mean that your loved one will require a good deal more care with even the simplest of tasks, such as ADLs.


How You Can Help


Some medications have been shown to be effective for those with early and middle stage dementia. Those who have dementia due to high blood pressure (vascular dementia) can often gain relief if they treat the high blood pressure and reduce their risk of stroke.


If they have tried all this but the dementia is still worsening, you as the caregiver will have to work hard to keep them as independent and comfortable as possible for as long as you can. In the early stages, therefore, it is important to discuss issues regarding finances, health and end of life decisions, as well as funeral arrangements. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are respected no matter how their faculties might decline. It also helps plan ahead for the arrangements they request.


Paperwork regarding banking, bills and legal issues like wills and who will be overseeing the estate as executor should be taken care of sooner rather than later because dementia can progress slowly in some but rapidly in others. This can help ensure that your loved one gets the care they need when they need it. No one likes to deal with insurance companies or Medicare, but it can be unavoidable if you want your loved one to get the medications and treatment they need.


Last but not least, you need to pay attention to safety no matter what the stage of dementia. Your loved one will need supervision regularly, and around the clock in the later stages of dementia. You also need to stick to a tight schedule of medications, so they will not skip a dose or accidentally overdose.


A diagnosis of dementia can be a shocking thing, but the more you know about what to expect at each stage, the better you will be able to help your loved one as the illness progresses.


Kirt Eure


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The Three Stages of Dementia

Friday 4 November 2016

Test Post from Special Touch Living

Test Post from Special Touch Living http://www.specialtouchliving.com

The Three Stages of Dementia

Dementia: The Three Stages and What to Expect


Researchers who have been studying dementia have found that it tends to progress in three stages. These stages are early, middle and late-stage dementia. It is important to know what is typical at each stage so caregivers will know what to expect and be prepared to meet the most urgent needs of their loved one as the illness progresses.


Early Dementia


Early dementia can be described as a stage in which the person is starting to show signs of a loss of mental acuity, such as a poor memory or inability to do tasks they once found easy. At this stage they are still able to function more or less independently.


It is important to note that many things, such as medications, stress and a lack of sleep, can all affect our memories, so it will be important to rule these out first. One of the best ways to do this is to keep track in a journal of any significant changes which might point to actual dementia as the cause.


The Second Stage


The second stage of dementia is characterized by the symptoms in stage one getting progressively worse, to the point where the person will require more help with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as washing and getting dressed. They might also exhibit behavioral changes, such as confusion, anxiety or even withdrawal from others because they are embarrassed.


The Late Stage


The late stage of dementia will usually mean that your loved one will require a good deal more care with even the simplest of tasks, such as ADLs.


How You Can Help


Some medications have been shown to be effective for those with early and middle stage dementia. Those who have dementia due to high blood pressure (vascular dementia) can often gain relief if they treat the high blood pressure and reduce their risk of stroke.


If they have tried all this but the dementia is still worsening, you as caregiver will have to work hard to keep them as independent and comfortable as possible for as long as you can. In the early stages, therefore, it is important to discuss issues regarding finances, health and end of life decisions, as well as funeral arrangements. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are respected no matter how their faculties might decline. It also helps plan ahead for the arrangements they request.


Paperwork regarding banking, bills and legal issues like wills and who will be overseeing the estate as executor should be taken care of sooner rather than later, because dementia can progress slowly in some but rapidly in others. This can help ensure that your loved one gets the care they need, when they need it. No one likes to deal with insurance companies or Medicare, but it can be unavoidable if you want your loved one to get the medications and treatment they need.


Last but not least, you need to pay attention to safety no matter what the stage of dementia. Your loved one will need supervision regularly, and around the clock in the later stages of dementia. You also need to stick to a tight schedule of medications so they will not skip a dose or accidentally overdose.


A diagnosis of dementia can be a shocking thing, but the more you know about what to expect at each stage, the better you will be able to help your loved one as the illness progresses.


Kirt Eure


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The Three Stages of Dementia

Monday 11 July 2016

Get Input from Others Assisted Living | Special Touch Living


10. Get Input from Others Assisted Living | Special Touch Living



Get the participation of others who know your loved one. Softly probing about what others think isn't nosy; you're love, concerned, and proactive.



Look for:



  • Circle of friends. Talk to friends and family members to get their op of how the person is faring. Listen for stories that hint that the person doesn't get out much you will hear comments such as “She does not come over anymore." "She quit the members club."). Pay attention to remarks that point to ongoing concerns.


  • Medical insight. With suitable consent, your loved one's primary doctor might share your concerns about his or her patient's security at home — or may be able to alleviate those concerns or suggest where to get a home assessment.


  • A second opinion. It is always better to get a second opinion from a professional geriatric care professional when making the decision to put your loved one in a residential assisted living home.  Many residential assisted living homes will provide you with an informal evaluation.


While you’re loved one may initially resist the notion of “someone they don’t know" checking on them. It’s very important to get that second opinion. 



Kirt Eure 



Articles:   Warning Signs | Close up Signs | Social Signs | Money Signs | Driving Signs | Kitchen Signs | Household Signs | Yard Signs 


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Get Input from Others Assisted Living | Special Touch Living

Monday 4 July 2016

Yard Signs that its time for residential assisted living | Special Touch Living


 9. Yard Signs that its time for residential assisted living | Special Touch Living



Walk around your loved ones yard. Lawn maintenance — or need of it — can yield clues that your loved one isn't faring as well at home alone anymore.



Look for:



  • Yard neglect. Look for faded siding or ceilings that might specify a leak, gutters goggled with leaves, busted windows or fences, dirty windows that have not been well maintained is a clear sign for residential assisted living.


  • Old Newspapers. Are papers being delivered but unnoticed? Sometimes people pick up those they can see on a driveway only, but the newspapers that are on the lawn or in the bushes are never seen.


  • Mail piled up in the mailbox. Go out and check — it's an indication that your loved one doesn't even retrieve it regularly.


Kirt Eure 



Articles:   Warning Signs | Close up Signs | Social Signs | Money Signs | Driving Signs | Kitchen Signs | Household Signs 


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Yard Signs that its time for residential assisted living | Special Touch Living

Monday 27 June 2016

Pet-care and plant-care signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living


8. Pet-care and plant-care signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living



Be sure to check out how the other living things are faring. An ability to take care of pets and plants goes along with self-care.



Look for:



  • Plants that are dying. Most of us have seen plants go brown sometimes. Keep an eye out for chronic neglect, especially in a former plant-lover's home.


  • Animals neglect. Common problems: dogs with long nails, cat litter box that has not been changed lately, or lifeless fish in the fish tank. Poor grooming, overfeeding, and underfeeding are other red flags.


Kirt Eure 



Articles 



Warning Signs | Close up Signs | Social Signs | Money Signs | Driving Signs | Kitchen Signs | Household Signs 


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Pet-care and plant-care signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living

Monday 20 June 2016

Household signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living


7. Household signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living



Look around your home, some of the time the most obvious household sign will be hard to see because we become so used to it.



Look for:20



  • A lot of clutter. If your loved one is does not want to throw anything away, which may be a sign of a physical issue. Papers or pet toys all over the floor represent a all kinds of tripping hazard. If you’re loved one’s home or area is cluttered, that may be a sign for an residential assisted living home.


  • Sloppy housekeeping. Spills that haven't been cleaned up are a general sign of dementia — the person lacks the follow-through to tidy. Keep an eye out for dust, bathroom mold, or other signs of slackness. Physical limitations can indicate your loved one needs housekeeping help or a living situation where this is taken care of for him or her.


  • Bathroom grime and clutter. A general situation: Your loved one makes an effort to clean up their living area but ignores the lavatory. Or the guest shower is clean; here you may see a more realistic picture of how your loved one is keeping up.


Kirt Eure 



Articles 



Warning Signs | Close up Signs | Social Signs | Money Signs | Driving Signs | Kitchen Signs


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Household signs it might be time for assisted living | Special Touch Living