Alois Alzheimer is widely considered as a pioneer in the field of neuropathology. In 1907, thanks to the development of a new staining method, he was able to observe clear signs of dementia in a woman that was then in her early fifties. Three years later, Emil Kraepelin, himself a torchbearer in psychiatric genetics, named this particular condition after Alzheimer. The intention was to differentiate early onset dementia from the form that is associated with advanced age.

Since then, volumes have been learned about various forms of dementia, treatment protocols and preventative strategies. Despite all this knowledge, though, dementia is still common and still and still not fully understood. Dementia, translated from its Latin origin, means to “be out of one’s mind”.   

Dementia is a progressive degeneration of cognitive function. At first it may mildly affect a patient’s normal functioning but, in severe cases, renders the patient totally incapable of normal function. It frequently causes personality and behavioral changes that are very difficult to cope with, both for the patient and the caregiver. However, as difficult as it may be, there are some things that may help to reduce some of the risk factors.

Keep the mind active

According to a report published by Dementia Australia, “There is evidence that cognitive and functional decline in people with dementia may be delayed by continued participation in mentally stimulating activities”. Other reports cast some doubt on the benefit of mental fitness. But, as many people would ask, “Can it do any harm?” Probably not.

Mental exercise doesn’t have to cost anything except time if the person has internet access. There are dozens of apps that can be downloaded free. Most of them will come with advertising. This advertising can be overwhelming so a bit of trial and error may be required. Sudoku or word builder games are ideal as they can provide a bit of a challenge. It’s also good for self-esteem when a player wins. And, as the saying goes, you’re never too old to learn.

Reading is a great activity that also needn’t cost anything. Joining the local library provides access to thousands of books. A walk to the library is also a good way to build in a bit of exercise. Just be mindful of how much exertion your patient can handle. Exhaustion can easily trigger frustration and anger.

For a bit more of a mental challenge, try introducing some arts or crafts, Creativity requires more mental effort than simple learning exercises. Drawing or scrapbooking can both be done for minimal cost while knitting or other forms of craft can actually provide an income opportunity.

Physical activities

Maintaining physical fitness has multiple benefits. Apart from better cardio vascular health, exercise increases blood flow to the brain and boosts mental acuity. Start off with low impact activities like walking or yoga. Yoga is particularly good because it also promotes mental discipline and provides effective stress relief.

Patients who are in better physical shape can opt for golf, tennis or bowls. These are much more socially oriented pastimes. Being socially active has also been shown to stave off loneliness and depression. The only downside here is that the cost of equipment may put these options out of reach for a lot of people.

If you have the space, gardening is another option that has great benefits. Elderly people tend to spend too little time outside. This could eventually lead to a vitamin D deficiency and bone deterioration. Apart from the physical benefit, the other obvious advantages of gardening are the sense of satisfaction you get from producing your own food and the cost saving associated with that.

Eliminate frustrations

Dementia causes patients to become disoriented or confused and they may lose the ability to do even the most basic chores. The frustration that they experience could manifest in aggressive behavior towards loved ones. The tragedy is that they are most likely unaware of this and would have no incentive to behave differently. By treating the patient with care and dignity, you help avoid such outbursts.

Establish routines. Schedules help to make a patient’s life more predictable and also make it easier for them to remember tasks and feel a bit more in control. If necessary, use a reminder system that the patient can follow. Use a pill box organizer for medications and set alerts for filling the prescription. Try to automate as many things as possible. Not only could it empower the patient, but it would alleviate a lot of the stress you may be under as a caregiver.

Incontinence is a very common additional affliction for people with dementia. This could be due to a malfunction of the nervous system so that the messages do not get from the brain to the bladder or it could merely be that the patient forgets what they need to do. Having regular bathroom breaks helps to reduce the risk of accidental leaks.

Always make sure that you have an adequate supply of adult diapers and other urology devices that help manage the condition. For expert advice on incontinence products, contact LL Medico. In case you need other elder care products. LL Medica has a vast range and more than 25 years of experience.

Look after yourself

This sounds like such a basic thing that we would tend to take for granted. Don’t. Caregiver burnout is real. And you’re no good to your patient if you’re ill yourself. If you have difficulty coping, seek help. When you plan activities for your patient, try to include some that you can also do. It gives you the chance to bond with the patient while, at the same time, helping you preserve your health.

We have tried to touch on some of the ways you can help a loved one with dementia. The reality is that we have hardly scratched the surface. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for coping with a dementia patient. There are so many tips and recommendations and every patient is different. It would be virtually impossible to cover all the information and experience that is available but we hope that this will give you a starting point.