Forget me not
AGEING is part and parcel of life. As we age, changes manifest in our body, including slower motor skills, deteriorating eyesight and memory loss. While age-related memory loss is common in the overall population, there is another, more debilitating manifestation of this condition – dementia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 50 million people are living with dementia as of 2017. The number is estimated to rise by an additional 10 million people per year, with dementia as the seventh leading cause of death in the world. In a separate report by WHO in 2012, it was estimated that 115.4 million people are projected to suffer from dementia by 2050, with 70% of those affected concentrated in low- to middle-income countries.
Because of this potential surge in dementia patients, it is even more important for us as potential or current caregivers to prepare for the rising numbers of people with dementia. However, where can we start?
While it largely occurs in the elderly, it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can trigger mental health problems such as personality changes, anxiety, mood swings and depression. In more advanced stages, it can also strip the patient of the ability to get up and move, or the interest to eat and drink.
Not a normal part of life
A spokesperson from Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) defines dementia as an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms caused by a range of diseases associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. Some of the more common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
Symptoms of dementia include short- and long-term memory loss, disorientation and confusion in a familiar setting and experiencing problems with everyday activities.
She says, “While it largely occurs in the elderly, it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can trigger mental health problems such as personality changes, anxiety, mood swings and depression. In more advanced stages, it can also strip the patient of the ability to get up and move, or the interest to eat and drink.”
A person living with dementia will slowly start to experience physical, mental and social deterioration and find it difficult to lead a normal and independent life. While medication can be provided to slow down the symptoms of dementia, it is currently incurable.
Giving the right care at the right stage
A dementia patient requires personalised care as his condition progresses. Because of this, it can be a challenge for family and loved ones to care for him without proper resources. The Alzheimer’s Association, a United States-based voluntary health organisation specialising in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, divides caregiving
into three categories, to be paired with the stage progression a patient goes through.
Early stage – At this stage, the patient is still mostly independent and only shows mild symptoms. The caregiver is more of a care partner than caregiver, as the patient may not need much assistance yet. For the caregiver, this is the best time to equip himself with caregiving skills and, together with the patient, working out how to best move forward as his condition progresses.
Middle stage – A caregiver’s responsibility will gradually increase as the patient’s functional independence decreases. Focus is placed on the patient’s safety, while making changes in his daily routine to accommodate his condition. It is good to take extra steps to ensure he can communicate with you and provide him with opportunities to do purposeful activities.
Late stage – The caregiver’s role shifts to preserving the quality of life and dignity of the patient. At this point in the disease, the world is primarily experienced through the senses. You can express your care through touch, sound, sight, taste and smell, such as playing his favourite music, cooking his favourite food, or brushing his hair.
Follow your instincts
Caring for a dementia patient is never easy, but it can be made easier when there is a bond between the caregiver and patient. With proper understanding of their needs and personality, the ability to adjust and try new methods can be beneficial for both parties.
Mellisa (not her real name), has been caring for her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, for the past seven years. She says that every dementia patient is different, and thus requires different methods of care.
“When a person is diagnosed with dementia, it can be equated to them entering a second childhood. They no longer know or remember how to lead a normal life, and are prone to mood swings according to how they are currently feeling.”
“In my case, I try to keep my mother as comfortable as possible. She can get a bit aggressive, no doubt because of her independent personality. She has high blood pressure and diabetes, so we have to keep her calm, but it is hard to do so as she forgets (why we are trying to help her). Therefore, I will let her blow off steam instead of arguing about it, as she will soon forget about what happened.”
Mellisa also sees the benefit in letting her mother socialise with others, as it sparks activity in the brain and improves her symptoms.
“Nowadays, I bring her to the care centre regularly, because even if dementia patients struggle to speak or socialise, they still need to be active and have a social life. The centre helps patients carry out activities such as colouring and exercising. Even if my mother doesn’t participate, it keeps her going. Keeping her cooped up at home will make her symptoms worse. Going to the centre also helps with her routine as she will feel tired when she goes home and sleep right after having dinner.”